Frederick Wilkins Jr., 85, of Muncie, passed away Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Signature Healthcare. He was born in Muncie on Wednesday, December 16, 1936, to Frederick Wilkins Sr. and Evelyn (Holt) Wilkins.
He was a proud Bearcat and graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1955. Fred met the love of his life, Janice Haffner, and they married on January 31, 1958. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, and was always involved in his children’s lives with scouts, little league, and was a past president of the Muncie Southside Band Boosters. His wife, Janice, is a lifetime member of Sweet Adelines International. Together, they traveled across the country to competitions for over 50 years. Fred was even a member of the men’s barbershop quartet for a period of time.
Fred worked for Colonial Bakery for thirty-eight years. He delivered bread to most of the stores and markets in the surrounding Muncie and Delaware County area. He was known as “Red Fred the Bread Man” or “Fred the Bread Man”. After retirement, he continued to work part-time at the bread depot warehouse. He arranged to provide bread to give to family and friends. He also donated bread to school athletic events, the Second Harvest Food Bank, fire stations, and other charities.
He was a kid at heart and never met a stranger. He would play Hide-n-Seek with his daughter’s dog, so the dog would have to find him in the house. A favorite memory with him was going out into the country to a field where he and his children would fly model rockets that they built. He loved the Beach Boys, Big Band music, Back to the Future Trilogy, Superman movies, Tom Selleck, The Lone Ranger, and old movies.
He also had a lifetime passion for photography. For many years at the Indianapolis 500, you would find him between turns 3 and 4 photographing for the Indianapolis Star. Fred also did photography for weddings and class reunions. His love of photography helped him meet some celebrities over the years. He met Bob Hope at the Muncie Airport, Ernest Borgnine on a plane, and William Shatner at Market Square Arena.
Fred leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of sixty-three years, Janice; sons, Gregory (Nancy) Wilkins, Brad (Sheila) Wilkins, and Bryan (Julie) Wilkins; daughter, Tyna Wilkins (partner Tracy Snell); brother, Stanley Wilkins; sister, Sherran Wilkins; grandchildren, Caleb Wilkins, Joshua Wilkins, Liza LeBlanc, Zach Wilkins, and Tyler “Moose” Wilkins; great-grandchildren, Andrew LeBlanc, Logan LeBlanc, and Roman Wilkins; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Sr. and Evelyn Wilkins.
Family and friends may call on Thursday, January 20, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 West Kilgore Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47304.
Services will be Friday, January 21, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, with calling one hour prior to the service. Graveside service will follow at Elm Ridge Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be given to A.R.F., 1209 W. Riggin Road, Muncie, Indiana 47303, OR, American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, Illinois 60674.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be given at www.elmridgefuneralhome.com for the Wilkins family.
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