SECOR- James R. Wilkey, 83, formerly of Secor, passed away at 11:50 AM on Tuesday, October 26, 2015 at Maple Lawn Health Care Center in Eureka.
He was born in El Paso, IL on June 26, 1932 a son of Virgil W. and Alice Irene Holt Wilkey. He married Betty Ann Remmert in Secor on November 18, 1951. She preceded him in death in 2010.
Surviving are his 2 sons, Robert J. (Cathy) Wilkey, Secor; Randy L. (Kathy) Wilkey, Secor; daughter, Brenda S. (Jim) Ely, Congerville; grandchildren; Amanda Yergler, Virginia Ely, Sarah Ely, Ian Wilkey, Jacqueline Harmon, Jamie Proehl, one great- grandchild, Wyatt Wilkey; brothers, Art (Connie) Wilkey, Roanoke; Charles (Rose) Wilkey, Atlanta, GA; George (Ella) Wilkey, Piper City, IL; John (Lila) Wilkey, East Peoria; sisters, Erma Reich, Aurora; Martha Lyons, Roanoke; Wanda Wilkey, Bloomington, IN; and Pamela Wilkey, Boston, MA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother and 4 sisters.
James was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Secor. He also belonged to the Secor Sportsman's Club and the American Legion Post in El Paso, and the Retired State Employees Association. He was a Trustee for Palestine Twp. and was also a city councilman in Secor and a Republican Precinct Committee man. He served in the Navy during the Korean War and he retired from the State Highway Maintenance Department in 1998 after 20 years of service.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 11:30 AM at St John's Lutheran Church with Rev. Michael Peters officiating. Visitation will be from 10 AM until the time of service at the church and interment will be in Secor Cemetery. Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in El Paso is assisting the family with arrangements.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the Maple Lawn staff and community for the care James received during his stay there.
Memorials may be designated to the American Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences may be directed to his family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com
Visitation
OCT
31.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (CDT)
St. John's Lutheran Church
Secor, IL
Funeral Service
OCT
31.
11:30 AM (CDT)
St. John's Lutheran Church
Secor, IL
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