Lon Allen Wilkens

Lon Allen Wilkens, 79, died April 9, 2022, at Tampa, Fla.

H e was born Sept. 7, 1942, in Ellsworth, the son of Rolland and Ruby Wilkens.

A 1960 graduate of Scott Community High School, Lon graduated from the University of Kansas in 1965, earned his Ph.D from Florida State University in 1970, and earned his post docorate at the University of Texas.

He started his teaching career in 1973 at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. In 1975, he joined the biology department at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. He taught neurobiology and marine science.

He secured National Institute of Health grants allowing him to do extensive research and publish papers in scientific journals. The most recent being original research and publication on electorosensory processing in paddlefish bills. He retired as Emeritus Professor in 2008.

On June 12, 1964, he married Betty (Penny) Pendley in Omaha, Nebr. She survives.

Other survivors include his daughter, Wendy Wilkens Allison and husband, Jeff; sons, Jeff Wilkens and wife, Renee, and Chris Wilkens and wife, Megan; two brothers, Jerrel Wilkens and wife, Barbara, and Bruce Wilkens and wife, Jonny Bill; a sister, Karen Wilkens Olson and husband Larry; grandchildren, Jessica Allison Morling, James Allison, Alex Wilkens, Hanna Wilkens, Luke Wilkens and Ella Wilkens.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service is planned at a later date.