Wayne Rufus Mulkey, age 87 years, went to his Lord and Savior on Friday, September 16, 2016 at his home in Miles City surrounded by his family. Wayne had advanced liver cancer that started from colon cancer he survived more than five years ago.
Wayne was born on his family’s ranch on O’Fallon Creek north of Ekalaka on November 28, 1928, the son of James Rufus Mulkey and Muriel (Woolfe) Mulkey. It was a cold stormy day and the doctor could not get there. So, Wayne was delivered by his grandfather Guy Woolfe. The doctor arrived two days later. Wayne’s family was predominately Irish and Scots. Both the Mulkey and Woolfe grandparents were original homesteaders to the Ekalaka area.
On August 18, 1948, Wayne married his high school sweetheart Geraldine (Jerry) Ingraham. Coming from a small family, for Wayne, the added bonus was a life-time membership in the Ingraham family. He loved them one and all. The couple raised their four children on the Kinsey farm where Jerry grew up.
Wayne, with that Irish red hair and fair complexion, was known and loved for his ability to make friends and his deep sense of hospitality and fun. He loved meeting people and going to new places. Music was also an important part of his life.
Wayne had an uncanny ability with finances and was a very good business man. He had a love of all animals and the great outdoors. Wayne was a skilled, avid sportsman both hunting and fishing. He did his own gun smith work and had a home business called W-M Sporting Goods. Of course, he tied all his own fishing flies.
Wayne was a quiet achiever (some would even say shy) and everything he did he did well, right down to the homemade Christmas chocolates he made yearly for grandkids and family. You were lucky if you were one of those who got to sample his smoked fish, homemade sausage and chokecherry wine.
Working hard, and smart, Wayne was able to retire young enough to fulfill his dream of seeing the world. He and Jerry traveled to Egypt, Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand, England just to name a few of the countries.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and sister Phyllis Cook Gerber and brother James Mulkey. Wayne is survived by his wife Jerry and daughters Myrna Fae (Michael) Higgins, Rita (Robert) George and sons Monty (Sharon Neuhardt) Mulkey and Burl (Vicki Locke) Mulkey and one sister Gayle (Steve) Serquina; his grandchildren: Jason (Bonnie) Higgins, Jessica (Ian) Parker, Wayne (Cindy) George, Andy George, Levi (fiancée Michelle) Mulkey, Candace (Brent) Lamb, Shane Mulkey, Adam (Lila) Mulkey and Samantha Mulkey; twelve great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Private family graveside services will be held on Friday, September 30, 2016 at the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Gideon’s or a charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday September 29, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Prayer Service
6:30 p.m.
Thursday September 29, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday September 29, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Prayer Service
6:30 p.m.
Thursday September 29, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
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Martha Crandall says
sorry to hear about your Dad.
Jeanne Green says
Geri and family. Sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. His health struggles are over. May God help you all in this time of grief. Will be praying for all of you.
Jeanne Green
Mike & Judy Toennis Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your Families.
Kyle & Gail Shaw says
Dear Family, I remember him in the days of the FFA band. He was always positive. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sandy and Pat Anderson says
We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers
Kathi Rooney Pfeifle says
I am so sorry for your loss. Although I didn’t know Wayne personally, my dad went to high school with him. Dad always spoke highly of Wayne. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Jan Munroe says
Geri and family, please accept my condolences on Wayne’s passing. He is with our Father now but will be missed. Jan
Art and Jeanne Drange says
Rita, Myrna and Family so sorry to see this. He was such a positive and just happy to be here type of man. Our Prayers and thoughts to all of you
Art and Jeanne
Warren & Linda Schiller says
Geri, Myrna, Rita and Families, so sorry to hear of Waynes passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your Families during this difficult time.
PAT HERZOG says
Rita,Bob and families so sorry to hear about your loss. .Monte really enjoyed visiting with your Dad whenever he saw him. ..very friendly person to be around our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. .Monte and Pat..
Ruben aand June Opp says
TO ALL OF WAYNES FAMILY, We were so sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing, our thoughts and prayers are with you all, May God bless and comfort you all during these difficult days and the days ahead . June and Ruben Opp
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
So many memories, so hard to put into words? My thoughts keep going back to the old days at Kinsey and what a close bunch we all were. Jerry, Myrna, Rita and the boys, be brave and be thankful for all the great times you had together and individually with the softest, more gentle “giant” of a husband, Father & grandfather Wayne was?
Maureen Larson says
So very sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. May the peace that only God offers console your hearts during this difficult time.
Gayle and Steve Serquina says
This was such a nice obituary for him. It summed the Man up very well. He lived a good long life, well. He treasured his family above all. I am proud to call him my big brother. It is such a comfort to know he is with our Lord now and all the other christian believers in his family that went on before him. My prayers go out to you Jerry and all the family.
Wiley & Mary Snell says
Burl and Mulkey Family:
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Linda & RIchard Meidinger says
Wayne was a good friend and neighbor at Kinsey. He was also a joy to go fishing with.
Always had fun at sugar beet harvest when we had break downs or waiting in line at the piler.
The family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Betty O'Brien says
Jerry – so sorry to hear of your loss – my prayers for comfort for you and your family.
Betty Carter O’Brien
Bill and Jody Wallick says
We are sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. He was a wonderful guy. The world was made a better place with him in it. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Mike Archdale says
Wayne was a prince among men. I remember my last conservation with Wayne. It was at a Eastern Montana Fair. Sorry I forget the year. The conversation was with Wayne, Jim Snell and myself. It was in the evening, great weather for visiting. Part of the conversation. Which month is the best for hunting antelope June or July? A verdict was not reached. The other part of the conversation was of a historical artifact that Wayne and my Dad Jimmy Archdale found together well building at Wayne’s. Wayne shared with me that my Dad had such pleasant excited expression on his face, that no way was Wayne going to claim the artifact because it was on his land. Wayne that night took it to higher level. Wayne did not ask me to return the artifact to Wayne because my Dad had passed away. Yes, Wayne was a prince among men.
Mike Archdale says
Sorry the word fence should be in the following sentence. The other part of the conversation was of a historical artifact that Wayne and my Dad Jimmy Archdale found together well building fence at Wayne’s.
Richard Butorac says
Dear Jerry and MULkey FAMILY…We shall see him soon again in the land of light we shall hear your voice again singing praise to the LAMB…NO more heart ache no more pain you are home Free so WE’Ll see you soon again in the land of LIGHT…Where there is peace in his presence and joy evermore you will never more depart never face one more goodbye …you are HOME….In his CARE…Richard and Charlotte butorac