Mary Joan Wilkinson, age 90 of Salem, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at Kindred Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri surrounded by her family.
Mary was born on November 2, 1934, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of Martin and Ressie (Branson) Wantland. She married Wayne L. Wilkinson on March 24, 1951, and after 66 years of marriage, he preceded Mary in death on October 30, 2017.
Survivors include two daughters, Brenda Schumpert and husband Steve of Salem and Cheryl Hill and husband Greg of Iuka; one son, James Wilkinson and wife Barb of Jackson, Tennessee; grandchildren, Tracy Greenway and husband Phil of South Beloit, Jennifer Clark and husband Jim of Salem, Dan Schumpert and wife Dawn of Minooka, and Shelly Jo Wilkinson of Joliet; six great-grandchildren, Callie Gilkerson and husband Matt, D’Arcy Schumpert, Annie Schumpert and fiancé Dominick Meyer, Erika Schumpert, Alex Clark, and Abby Clark; two great great grandchildren, Bella Rose Kingston, and Arthur Meyer; a brother, William Wantland of Salem; several nieces and nephews; and had a special place in her heart for Whitney Hughes and Collin Fitzwater.
She was preceded in death by her father, Martin Wantland; her mother and step-father Ressie and Cecil Wilcoxen; her husband Wayne, an infant daughter, Kathy Jo; and step-grandson, Joshua Bickford; a sister, Betty White; and a brother, Francis Wantland.
Mary was of the Christian Faith. She was a devoted active member of the First Christian Church in Salem. She worked for Brown Shoe Factory in Salem, Western Electric, and in her later years was a babysitter.
She was a member of the Salem Hospital Auxiliary, the Rebecca’s, and the Home Extension.
Funeral services for Mary Joan Wilkinson will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, December 2, 2024 at First Christian Church in Salem with Rusty Courson officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Kinmundy. There will be a visitation held on Monday at the church from 11:00 am until the time of the service. Memorial contributions can be made to First Christian Church or Oil Belt Christian Service Camp and will be received at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories can be left at www.CrouseFH.com.
