William Harkins

William "Bill" Harkins, age 88 of Faribault, died Friday, December 26, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, following an extended illness.    Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Church in Shieldsville. Military honors will be provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Association. Interment will be at the German-Union Cemetery in Millersburg at a later date.    Memorial visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday for one hour prior to the services at the church.    William Henry Harkins, the son of Edgar and Mary (Fredette) Harkins, was born on August 13, 1920 in Faribault. He attended Immaculate Conception Elementary and Bethlehem Academy High School. Bill served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII from 1942 to 1945. He served in Egypt, England, North Africa, and Sicily with the 82nd Airborne/316 Troop Carrier Group. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the French Jubilee of Liberty Medal. He married Betty Lou Fee on October 17, 1946 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault. Bill operated a delivery route for the Coca Cola Co. from 1939-1941 and 1945-1949, Marigold Dairy from 1936-1939 and Voegel's Dairy from 1934-1936. He has been with his family's business, Roberds Lake Resort, from 1949 to the present. During the winter months he worked for Marshall Wells (1949-55), Ford Motor Co. (1955-59), Simpsons (1959-63), Healy Construction (1963-65), Nelson Super Value (1965-70), and Kletschka Electric (1970-72). He also served on the Wells Township Board.    Bill was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 43, Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 1562, WWII Last Mans Club, Faribault Aerie 1460, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Knight of Columbus Council 889. He was a dedicated member of the Faribault Lions Club and served as District Governor in 1995-96. He received the Melvin Jones Award and the Progressive Melvin Jones Award.  He also served as Trustee with the Minnesota Hearing Foundation and traveled to Mexico three times to deliver donated glasses to those in need. He enjoyed traveling and was able to travel to 49 states.    He is survived by his wife, Betty; three children, William S. (Kathy) Harkins of Wichita Falls, TX, Shermayne (Bob) Cross of Faribault, and Mary Harkins (Barry Venn) of Cannon Falls, MN; eight grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.    He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Warren, Samuel, and John Harkins; and two sisters, Orley Kath and Rose Harkins.    Memorials may be designated to the Lions Hearing Foundation or St. Patrick Church Bell Tower Fund in Bill's memory.