David Milliken, age 70, a resident of the Wilkesville area passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, February 19th, 2022. He was surrounded by his loving family. He fought a valiant battle against cancer.
David Charles Milliken was born on January 9th, 1952, to John Thomas and Ethel L. (Self) Milliken in Fort Eustus, Virginia. As he used to say, he was an Army brat and lived in Virginia, Maryland and Germany during his father’s tenure in the U.S. Army. David always felt that his life was greatly enriched by his family’s travels. When David was 13, his father retired from the Army and moved to Coalton, OH, which was his father’s hometown. David graduated from Wellston High School in 1970 and went to work as a welder at McNally Pittsburg, where he worked until 1976. David married his high school sweetheart, Iris L. (Jorji) Milliken, in 1972. Together, they embarked on a lifelong career of services to persons who have developmental disabilities.
David was a devoted father and grandfather. He especially loved to watch and support the grandkids in their sports endeavors. He loved all sorts of music and loved to play guitar with his son, Andy, other Milliken cousins, and friends. David retired in 2019 and became an avid golfer. He was a talented artist and was very active in drawing and painting upon his retirement. David was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wellston.
David is survived by his wife, Jorji (Perkins) Milliken; daughter, Kathryn Milliken (Phil) Sizemore; and son, Thomas Andrew Milliken; as well as granddaughters: Leia, Lily and Lydia Sizemore; and great grandson, Oliver Ludin. He is also survived by his brother, Gregg (Nila) Milliken; and sister, Carol Jo (Tomm) Wallace. He is survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: John and Ethel Milliken; and his brother, John Frederick, Fredbo Milliken.
Services will be held at the Presbyterian Church, 19 Pennsylvania Ave, Wellston OH on Saturday, February 26th, 2022, with calling hours starting at 11 a.m., followed by a service at 1 p.m. A reception will be held following the service.
David will be sadly missed by his family and friends. He will always be remembered as a loving grandfather, his direct and honest approach to pass along wisdom to family and friends and his love of good guitar pickin’.