Ethel Wilkens, 87, wife of the late Frederick R. Wilkens, passed away on Oct. 28, 2016 in Smithfield.  Ethel was born and raised in Farmingdale, N.Y., the daughter of the late Frederick and Christine Hubschman Knobloch.  Ethel graduated from Farmingdale High School, and worked at Republic Aviation before becoming a homemaker and raising her family with her childhood sweetheart, Fred.  Ethel was an avid crafter, working in quilting, crocheting, knitting, needlepoint and painting, and her creations continue to spread joy amongst family and friends.

Ethel is survived by her son, John Wilkens and his wife Kathleen of Weston, Fla.; her daughter, Christine Amos and her husband James of Smithfield; and her five grandchildren, Michael Amos, Laurie McGurn, Katie Amos, Taylor Wilkens and Morgan Wilkens.  She is also survived by her sister, Doris Albers of Oneonta, N.Y. and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Ethel’s family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 2, noon, with services at 1:30 p.m. at Arthur F. White Funeral Home, 315 Conklin St., Farmingdale, N.Y.  Burial will follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale.

Ethel’s family thanks the wonderful staff at Riverside’s Magnolia Manor and The Garden for their compassionate and loving care for Ethel over the last few years.
Local service arrangements are in the care of Colonial Funeral Home, Carrollton.  Family and friends are encouraged to share condolences and remembrances at      colonialfuneralhomesmithfield.com.