Paul E. Wilkins, 84, of Salem passed away Friday, December 27, 2024, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon. He was born on August 16, 1940, the son of Fred and Marcella (Quinlin) Wilkins in Dixmoor, IL. He married Dolores “LuLu” Brasket in Sandoval in 1961, and she preceded him in death on January 6, 2018.
Survivors include brother-in-law, William A. Brasket and wife Linda of Salem; sisters-in-law, Barbara Bryan and husband Ron of Salem, Gladys Denton and husband George of IN, Mary Lou McVey of IN, and Rita Delatore of Texico; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Along with his wife, Delores “LuLu” Wilkins, Paul was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Ruby Paulton, Alta Wilkerson, and Rosetta Schaffer; brothers, Theron Wilkins, and Jr. Wilkins; brother-in-law, Ray I. Delatore; sister-in-law, Billie Jean “Schotzie” Coughlin.
Mr. Wilkins was a proud United States Army Corp of Engineers veteran, who served in Vietnam. He was a tech at Warren G. Murray Center in Centralia until his retirement. Paul attended Grace Church of the Nazarene in Salem, where he and his beloved wife appreciated the support of their church family. Paul later attended the Apostolic Church of Salem, where he was always an encouraging part of the congregation. He was crafty, enjoying wood carving as a way to make beautiful and useful creations out of wood. Paul liked time spent in the woods, marveling at the peace nature would bring him while hunting. He was quite a fisherman, and generous in sharing the fish he caught with family and friends. Paul lived his life trying to make each new day better than the last.
Celebration of life services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2024, at the Day Macz Funeral Home in Sandoval, with Pastor Calvin Jean officiating. Interment will follow at Sandoval Cemetery in Sandoval, where military rites will be accorded by Centralia VFW Post 2055, American Legion Post 446. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the funeral home in Sandoval. Memorial contributions may be made in Pauls’ honor to the Apostolic Church in Salem. Online condolences and memories of Paul may be shared with the family at maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
