Michael H. “Mike” Wilkins, age 71, of Salem, passed away at his home on August 1, 2025, with his family by his side.
He was born on November 7, 1953, in Salem, Illinois to Richard and Betty (Jones) Wilkins. He married Sandra Sweet on August 29, 1975, and they were blessed with just short of 50 wonderful years together.
Mike was a member of the Marion County Fair Board and a past Salem Township trustee. In his younger days, he worked in the local oilfields and for John Jett on his farm. He then spent many years as a custodian/maintenance man at Salem Grade School. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and farming. He truly had a love of the outdoors. He always went out of his way to help people when he could. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family.
Survivors include his wife, Sandy Wilkins; son Rick and wife Toni Wilkins; grandsons Jonathon Wilkins, A.J. Wilkins, Mason Wilkins, and Anthony Wilkins; siblings Barbara Lorenzini, Jackie Schuler, Ricky Kay Dunaway, Richard “Keebler” and wife Marcia Wilkins, Danny “Mt. Dew” Wilkins, Marsha and husband Jim Pritchard of Altamont, Mary “Tina” Wilkins, Kevin Wilkins, Jay Dee and wife Linda Wilkins, Debbie Torbeck, Jeanette and husband Kerry Hodge; mother-in-law Shirley Sweet; and brother-in-law Tom Sweet; many nieces, nephews, and cousins
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Betty Wilkins; son Ben Wilkins; brothers: Ronnie “Rev” Wilkins and Roger “Welcho” Wilkins; brothers-in-law Lew Lorenzini, George Schuler, Doug Dunaway, Marvin Torbeck; father-in-law John Sweet; sister-in-law Nancy Heflin and husband Dennis Heflin.
The Family would also like to express heartfelt thanks to his Hospice team for such loving care.
Funeral services for Mike Wilkins will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 10:00 am at Salem Grace Church of the Nazarene with Scott Dunaway officiating. A visitation will be held Tuesday, August 5, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and again on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, from 9:00 am until the time of service. Burial will follow at Summit Prairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sleep in Heavenly Peace or Mission Salem and will be accepted at Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home, PO Box 97 / 310 N Broadway, Salem, Illinois 62881, 618-548-1234, who is honored to be of service to the family during this difficult time. Online condolences may be left by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or by visiting the Sutherland-Rankin’s Facebook page.
