Charles Donald Wilburn

Lecanto, FL.-

     Well known local musician Charles “Don” Wilburn, 83, passed away August 10, at the Life Care Center in Lecanto, Fl. following an extended illness.  He was born May 18, 1933, in Huntington, West Virginia, the only son of Charles J. and Blanche (Collins) Wilburn.  Mr. Wilburn migrated to Muncie in 1950 where he met and later married the love of his life, Iva, on July 5, 1952 in Muncie.  Don worked for G.M. for 29 years prior to his retirement from the Muncie Delco Battery Plant.  He was a member of the United Auto Workers Union.  Don loved to play music and was an original member of the “49’ers” a local music group that played on the WLBC television station in Muncie in the early and mid 50's.   In 1957, Don and the 49er group were invited on a 6 week USO tour entertaining military troops in Japan, Hawaii, Philippines, and Korea.  Don also was a regular at the Mt. View AR. music festival as well as the Renfro Valley Barn Dance in Renfro Valley, KY.   In the mid 80's, Don and Iva also toured Europe with the BSU dance group from Muncie.  In later years, Don played music regularly at the Cop Shop, Yorktown legion, VFW, Eagles, and the apple orchard in Muncie.  Mr. Wilburn also loved to purchase old cars, restore them and resell them.  His favorite was his “Mary Kay” pink 1965 Chevy Impala Convertible.  He loved driving the Impala to Burkies, Cammack, and to Jerry's Dairy Freezer in Parker City.   He met Jancie Garringer in 1999 and was her companion for a wonderful 16 years, prior to her death in 2015.  Her kids, grand kids, and great grand kids became his second family.  Don and Janice enjoyed many trips in the Impala and attending local car shows.  He is survived by four sons, Steve (Kathy), Hernando, Fl, John (Brenda), Garland, TX, Rick (Norma), Mesquite, TX and Sidney Johnson, Port Orange, FL.   He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Jeanne, Meranda, Melissa, Broc, Tori, Chelsey, Michelle, Brandon, Monica and Megan, as well as 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his only sister, Ethel, his wife of 42 years, Iva, in 1995 and Janice Garringer in 2015.      

     Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2016, 1:00 P.M. at the Parson Mortuary.  Burial will follow at the Gardens of Memory Cemetery north of Muncie.                 Friends may call at the Parson Mortuary on Wednesday evening, August 17, 2016, from 3:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. and again on Thursday, August 18, 2016, from 12:00 P.M. until service time.   Memorial contributions may be made to the local cancer center.  

 Service Information