Submitted by: Linda Cheeks Pittano
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Kentucky GenWeb projectHomer Edward WILBURN died Tuesday, September 11, 2007. He was 73. Homer was born to Arnold Elva (Bowling) Wilburn on April 5, 1934 in Grahn, Kentucky. As one of seven children, Homer grew up in Grahn and graduated from olive Hill School in 1952; that same year he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Homer met Ingeborg A. Schmitz in March 1956 in Berlin, Germany. He reenlisted for another four years in order to return to Germany and marry Inge. They were married on June 14, 1957, in Frankfurt A/Main, Germany. Homer began his 37 year career as an air traffic controller while serving in the military. After returning to the United States he was stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base in California. On September 30, 1960 he was honorably discharged from the Air Force. His first assignment with the Federal Aviation Administration, was in October 1960, in Denver. Mr. Wilburn retired from the FAA on April 30, 1989 as area manager at Stapleton International Airport (Denver Tower). In 2006, Homer retired from the Daily Times-Call as a part-time warehouse delivery driver. After retirement Homer and Inge traveled to Europe, Hawaii and most of the continental United States. Homer was passionate about spending time with his family, boating, gardening, crossword puzzles, and teaching his children and grandchildren to fish. Mr. Wilburn is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Andrea Wilburn Marsing, his brothers; Gene and Kenton Wilburn and a sister Wanita Knipp. Surviving are his wife Inge, of Longmont; his sons Eric Wilburn and Michael Schmitz and wife Michele, all of Longmont; daughters Marina LeHeup and husband Matthew of Temple Terrace, Florida, Patricia Schilling and husband Phil of Longmont; one brother Terry Wilburn and his wife Barb of Inglis, Florida; two sisters, Lorraine Stapleton of Olive Hill, Kentucky and Louise Blevins and husband Rollie, of Grahn. Homer is further survived by sisters-in-law Katherine Wilburn of Grahn, Anneliese Russo of Schotten, Germany, Roswitha Severien and husband Herbert of Gelnhausen, Germany and many nieces and nephews. Homer has nine grandchildren; Maura Brady McMullen and husband Sean of Fort Collins, Kelin Brady of San Francisco, Dylan Brady of Fort Collins, Lyris Brady and Riley Schilling of Longmont, Heidi, Hanna and Austin LeHeup of Temple Terrace, Florida and Kaylee Wilburn of Longmont. Visitation hours will be today, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m at the Howe Mortuary and 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 14 at the mortuary. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 14, at the Howe Mortuary Chapel, with Deacon Michael Berens officiating. Interment will follow at the Longmont Mountain View Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Submitted by: Linda Cheeks Pittano
Send questions and comments to John GraceKentucky GenWeb project