Mengis Funeral Home

Stephen was born February 18, 1972 in Bloomfield, Iowa to Harley E. and Betty M. (Neff) Wilkinson.  In 1990 he graduated from the Mabel-Canton High School.  He enlisted in the United States Army where he was in the Special Forces and served in Operation Desert Storm.  He was discharged after being injured at Fort Bragg.  He attended San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico and worked as a pilot and instructor for U.S. Airways.  At the time of his death he was an independent security contractor in Iraq.  He was a member of the Canton American Legion and the Mabel Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Stephen passed away  Sunday June 1, 2008 at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota at the age  of 36.

Stephen is survived by his parents Harley and Betty of Casa Grande, Arizona; three brothers Craig (Patti) Bush of Monticello, Ill., Brian Wilkinson of Ottumwa, Iowa, and D.J. (Linda) Thommen of Salem, Oregon; a sister Brenda
(David) Helgeson of Rochester, Minnesota; paternal grandmother Myrtle Wilkinson of Mabel; a special friend Stacy; a niece and five nephews.  He was preceded in death by a brother; his maternal grandparents; and his paternal grandfather.