Mike Charles Milligan, Sr.

Mike Charles Milligan, Sr. was born in Hinton, Oklahoma April 8, 1925 to Charley and Versa Milligan. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 15, 2011. Mike graduated from Hinton High School in 1943 and honorably served in World War II Third Armored Division ("Hell on Wheels"). He married Perry Lee (Padgy) Mercer on June 19, 1947 and to this union four children were born. He was self-employed for several years and in 1958 began working for Western Electric as a Tool and Die Apprentice and was one of the first employees hired by the company in Oklahoma City. After serving as a Tool and Die maker, he retired in 1980 as Supervisor of Machine Maintenance. After retirement he raised wheat and cattle on the family farm in Hinton, Oklahoma, his first love, for 30 years. Mike was a long-time member of Penn Avenue Christian Church where he served as a deacon, elder and treasurer. Mike was a creative and industrious individual who enjoyed the challenge of finding new solutions to old problems. He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh, even if it was at his own expense. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Cliff Milligan, and sisters, Eva Koerner and Mae Scoles. Survivors include Padgy, his wife of 64 years, and his four children, Mike, Jr. and wife, Candy, Melinda VanDell, David and wife, Shelly, and Ronald and wife, Diane, additionally, thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, along with a host of friends and relatives. Special thanks to Mary Cunningham and her children, Cody and Sara, as well as Jo from Lifeline in Chickasha. Viewing will be on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Services will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Smith and Kernke Funeral Home on N.W. 23rd Street, in Oklahoma City. Graveside services will follow at Hinton Cemetery at 12:30 p.m.