Burl E. Wilkes, 82, of Ranchester died Saturday, July 21, 2001, at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County.

Viewing is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home.  Funeral services are 10 a.m. Friday at First Congregational Church with Pastor Bob Miller officiating.  Interment is in Dayton Cemetery.

Mr. Wilks was born Nov. 9, 1918, in Sheridan to James and Elva (Bennick) Wilkes.  He grew up in Sheridan and graduated from high school in 1939.

He enlisted in the Army during World War II.  After the service, he returned to Sheridan and went to work at the VA Medical Center.

He married Roberta Strait Jan. 1, 1949, in Sheridan.  He worked at the VA until he retired in 1971.  He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, fishing and hunting in the Big Horn Mountains and traveling in the United States.

He was a member of First Congregational Church, Odd Fellows and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.  He volunteered at the "Lunch Together" program.

As a member of the Senior Citizens board of directors, he was active in establishing the Tongue River Site for seniors.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 1987 and two brothers, Francis Wilkes and Robert Merlin Wilkes.

Survivors include a daughter, Jean Harm of Sheridan; two sisters, Maxine Wilson of Lodge Grass, Mont., and Betty Young of Cincinnati; two grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Memorials are suggested to First Congregational Church, Church Door Renovation or the Senior Citizen Center, Tongue River Site.