Obituaries

Dateline: March 6, 2010
Name: Milburn E. "M.E." Wallace, 87
Died: Friday, March 05, 2010, in Sulphur Springs, Texas
Milburn E. Wallace (M.E.) of Sulphur Springs, TX passed away on March 5, 2010 at the age of 87. M.E. Wallace was born in Jacksonville, TX to William David and Katie Milburn Johnson Wallace on December 22, 1922. They both precede him in death. M.E. Wallace went straight from school into the U.S. Army, where he served from 1939-1945. As a member of the 1st Calvary Division, he was involved in the battle to take the airstrip in the Admiralty Islands and, along with other U.S. Army units, was part of the largest invasion force in the Pacific. His unit was part of the retaking of the Phillipine Islands at Leyte Island on October 20, 1944, where fighting continued until December 25, 1944. In February of 1945, Wallace along with the 1st Calvary, entered and retook Manila. American casualties in retaking the Phillipines were 13,000 and 48,000 wounded. After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the military, he immediately began a lifelong career of stone cutting. With a hammer and a chisel, there was nothing that he couldn't create or replicate. He was extremely talented. He owned and operated the Wallace Memorials and Monument Company in Sulphur Springs for over 20 years when he retired. It is known today as Pioneer Memorials, the oldest memorial company in Hopkins County. M.E. Wallace was a member of the League Street Church of Christ, Monument Builders of North America, Veterans of Foreign War (VFW), a Charter Member of the Optimist Club, and a past member of the Hopkins County Military Coalition. He is survived by his wife Wilma Parham Rholes Wallace, son David Wallace and wife Carolyn of Sunnyvale, TX, son W.E. Wallace and wife Linda of Sulphur Springs, TX, son Matthew Wallace of Alto, TX, son Mark Wallace of Little Elm, TX, stepson William Steven Rholes and wife Ramona of College Station, TX, stepson Gary Wayne Rholes and wife Julie of Center, TX; daughter Lydia Walden and husband Eric of Commerce, TX; brother Bill Wallace and wife Mary of Palestine, TX; sisters Merline Kitchens and Wanda Faye Ivey both of Jacksonville, TX; 15 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren, and 3 soon to be great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his wife Louise Matthews Wallace in 1961, and wife Elsie Marie Wallace in 1996; brothers Lester Johnson and Thomas Wallace; daughter-in-law Chan Wallace; and 1 grandchild William David Wallace. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 8, 2010 at League Street Church of Christ at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place at 3:00 p.m. in the Providence Cemetery just south of Jacksonville, TX with the grandchildren serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday evening, March 7, 2010 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Veteran's War Memorial. West Oaks Funeral home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be sent to www.westoaksfuneralhome.com.

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