Philip James Wilkins, 79, of Morrison, IL, died Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center North in Clinton, IA.
Phil was born July 17, 1936, in Morrison, to James A. and Tena B. (Balk) Wilkins. He was educated in various rural grade schools in Whiteside County and was a graduate of Fulton High School. He married Joyce Tichler on June 19, 1956, in Morrison. Phil was first employed by Henry Stuart Construction in Morrison. He was then employed by Northwestern Steel and Wire, Sterling, IL, for 36 years, until retiring in 1997. He was raised in the Spring Valley Reformed Church in rural Fulton, IL, and was a member of Ebenezer Reformed Church in Morrison, where he was an elder, a deacon, and a member of the choir. Phil loved his family. It was his desire to have them together as much as possible, and showed his love and support by attending their activities whenever he could. He enjoyed singing with his family in area churches and playing his guitar. He also enjoyed woodworking, especially making gifts for his family. He loved discussing the Bible and sharing his love of Jesus.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce; four daughters, Laurie (Frank Cartalino) Wilkins of Mt. Carroll, IL, Sally (Paul) Knoespel of Hudson, WI, Karen (Larry) Peach of Fairfield, IA, and Julie (Todd) Mickley of Morrison; ten grandchildren, Michael (Jennifer) Kuehl, Jennifer (Tim) McCombie, Kelly (Danny) Peterson, Timothy Knoespel, Jeffrey (fiancée Sarah Kunz) Knoespel, Ryan Peach, Evan Peach, Emily Mickley, Abby Mickley, and Molly Mickley; seven great-grandchildren, Noah, Isaiah, and Leah Kuehl, Austin Edwards, Kelden, Ian, and Ryker McCombie; one sister, Carol (Allen) Zuidema of Argyle, WI; one brother, Larry D. (Kaye) Wilkins of Fulton, IL.
Phil was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Vivian M. Sikkema; one brother, Gordon D. “Butch” Wilkins.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Ebenezer Reformed Church, Morrison, IL
OFFICIATING: Ken Renkes, friend of the family and Director of Congregational Care at Ebenezer Reformed Church, Morrison, IL
VISITATION: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 10, 2016, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Homes, Ltd.
INTERMENT: Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison, IL
A memorial to the Berean Bible Society has been established.