Christine A. Wilkinson

Christine Wilkinson, 86, a Muhlenberg Park and Laureldale resident for 46 years, died Sunday, May 26, 2013 in St. Joseph Medical Center, Bern Township. Christine was the wife of Robert Wilkinson, who passed on December 18, 2011.

Born August 12, 1926 in Kelseyville, CA, Christine Anita Mauldin was a daughter of the late Henry and Mary (Woods) Mauldin. She was raised with her twin brother, Chris, and older brother, Philip, on their family's ranch.

Growing up in Lakeport, CA, Christine was active in Rainbow Girls and was a majorette in the band at Kelseyville Union High School. Christine, a promising sketcher and painter, studied art at San Jose State College. She was employed as a secretary in the San Francisco banking industry when she met Robert, a young Navy serviceman from Maine who won her heart in 1945. After a wedding ceremony in Lakeport, the newlyweds took a cross-country honeymoon by rail, stopping at many major cities along the way.

The couple settled briefly in Maine, followed by several years in southeastern Massachusetts, where Mr. Wilkinson completed his college degree and Christine worked to help put him through school.

After Mr. Wilkinson graduated and became a civil servant for the federal government, Christine became a full time homemaker and they welcomed their two children, Debra, and then, Philip. The young family moved to locations near armed forces bases across the U.S., making Reading their permanent home in 1967.

Throughout the years, Christine was an active Girl Scout leader and a member of various civic clubs and organizations. She expanded her devotion to art to include oil painting and other media. An avid doll collector for many years, Christine also became a published authority on doll restoration. Christine was devoted to her family and lived to welcome the birth of great granddaughter, infant Autumn Kaye Rinehardt of Cornelius, NC.

Christine is survived by her daughter, Debra Davis, wife of Michael Davis of Salem, Oregon, and her son, Philip, of Laureldale, who so lovingly cared for his mother during her final years. Christine also leaves behind granddaughters Amy Sullivan (Mark) and Jill Smith, both of North Carolina, great grandchildren Hope Rinehardt (Cody) and Brittany Smith, both of North Carolina, nieces Mary Wilkinson (Steve Ballan), Canton, NY, Meg Wilkinson (Richard Guillemette) of Hampden, MA, Mary Evans (Donald) of Napa, CA, Christy Heimlich (Richard) of Rogue River, OR; nephews Mark Mauldin (Rae) of Lahaina, HI, David Mauldin of Redding, CA and Peter Wilkinson (Jane Clark) of Red Hook, NY, and many cousins.

Christine is also deeply missed by sisters-in-law Jo Lavin (George) of Napa, CA, Billie Mauldin of Kelseyville, CA, Peggy Wilkinson of Canton, NY, and Elizabeth Lewis of Newton, NH; dear friend Myrle Miles of Ukiah, CA; special neighbor Cindy Ruppert of Laureldale, PA, and Christine's "second daughter" Debby Yoshida, of Reading, PA.

In accordance with Christine's wish, there will be no service following cremation. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Christine would be pleased if, in lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so would make a memorial donation to the charity of their choice.