Charlton: Leona G. (Burlingame) Wilkesman, 78, of Stafford St., passed away on Thursday, April 30th, in the UMass Memorial Medical Center, University Campus, Worcester.

Her husband, Kenneth Wilkesman, passed away in 1977.  She leaves her son, K.J. Wilkesman of Utah; her brother, Jeffrey Burlingame of Charlton; her five sisters, Catherine Baron of Southbridge, Patsy Cloutier of Charlton, Betty McCrillis of Woodstock, CT, Linda Wasell of Oxford and Sally Kriss of Ohio; her four grandchildren, Amber Carpio, Harley and Michael Derosier and Madison Marchand; her two great grandchildren, Leona and Scarlette; and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her brother, Lester Burlingame and her sister, Laura Fitts.  Leona was born in Southbridge the daughter of Aaron L. and Gladys L. (Manthorne) Burlingame.

Leona worked at the American Optical Co. in Southbridge for many years.  She later worked at Millbrook Distributors in Leicester.  She also worked at McDonalds and Burger King before retiring several years ago.  Leona loved to work around her yard and especially enjoyed gardening.

Funeral services for Leona will be private.  There are no calling hours.

The Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, is directing arrangements.