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Milton was born October 31, 1923 in Wiesel in Amherst Township, Fillmore County, Minnesota to Philip and Hazel (Vickerman) Gerard. He attended the “Cigar Box” country school near Amherst. On December 30, 1943 he entered the United States Navy where served as a fireman first class aboard the USS Highlands A.P.A. during World War II in the South Pacific where he witnessed the sinking of the Bismark Sea, the raising of the U.S. Flag on Iwo Jima, and was present in Tokyo Bay when the peace treaty was signed aboard the USS Missouri. After his discharge on March 29, 1946 he returned to the Mabel area. On June 25, 1956 he married Cora (Thompson) Newton in Harmony. They resided in Newburg where he operated a sawmill and lumberyard. Milton grew up with an appreciation of the outdoors and was a skilled hunter, fisherman, and trapper, and was concerned about conservation of the natural resources. He was a member of the Newburg United Methodist Church, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Milton passed away Monday, May 5, 2008 at his home at the age of 84.
Milton is survived by his wife Cora of Newburg; four daughters Ann (Tom) Emery of Caledonia, Minn., and Carol (Rodney) Thompson, Pauline Vigeland, and Elaine Johnson all of Mabel; a son Tony (Shelly) of Canton; step-son David Newton of Mabel; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; a brother Robert of Olympia, Washington; and “Sam” his faithful Rat Terrier.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Phyllis (Norris) Sorenson; three brothers Richard, Eldred, and Charlie.
Funeral services will be 11 am Friday, May 9, 2008 at the Newburg United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jeanne Martin officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military rites by the American Legion and VFW.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 pm Thursday, May 8 at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel and one hour prior to services at the church.
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