Marie A Wilkinson

CENTRALIA --- Marie Adelaide Wilkinson, 94, of Centralia, died on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, at Centralia Manor. She was born June 1, 1919, in Carlyle, the daughter of Frank Lawrence and Mary Rose (Schnieder) Spitz. She married Grover Edwin Wilkinson on April 27, 1943, at Camp Rucker, Ala., and he preceded her in death on May 5, 1965. Survivors include two sons, William “Bill” Wilkinson and wife, Kay, of North Carolina and Ron Wilkinson and wife, Phyllis, of Indiana; two daughters, Judy Berry and husband, Jim, of Centralia, and Nancy Allen and husband, Bill, of Centralia; eight grandchildren, Susan, Michelle, Matt, Chris, Josh, Jaicie, Christina and Sara; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; nieces, nephews; and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Marilyn Ann Wilkinson; one brother, Joseph Spitz; and three sisters, Catherine Kiehna, Helen Isert and Virginia “Ginny” Diesen. Mrs. Wilkinson traveled with her husband during his career in the U.S. Army, and lived on base with their children at Pine Camp, New York; Ft. Sheridan, Chicago; Ft. Riley, Kansas; Eta Jima, Japan; Baumholder, Germany; and later, Ft. Benning, Georgia. While in Japan, she was active as a Red Cross volunteer. She received her associate’s degree from Kaskaskia College in May of 1973, and was employed for several years as an assistant librarian at the Centralia Public Library. She was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Centralia, where she was active in the Altar Sodality and Catholic Daughters of America. She was a Church Women United member for many years, having served as an office holder and she attended the CWU state assembly in 1979. She was also a member of American Legion Auxiliary. One of the high points of her faith walk was touring the Holy Land in the 1970s. She was a woman of strong faith, always willing to serve God, her family and country. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, bingo and crossword puzzles. A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Centralia. Father Justin Olisameaka will officiate. Friends may call from 10:00 A.M. until time of services at the church. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Centralia. Memorials may be made to St. Mary Church and will be received at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home, which is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com.

Marie A Wilkinson

June 1, 1919 - February 2, 2014