Harry Charles Wilkinson

Harry Charles Wilkinson, age 88, of Thomson, Illinois, died Friday, June 2, 2023, at MercyOne Medical Center, Clinton, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Thomson. A visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Lower York Cemetery, Thomson. A memorial fund has been established in Harry’s memory.

Born August 7, 1934 in Mt. Carroll, Harry was the son of Harry and Ellen (Stage) Wilkinson, and spent his early years working with his family on various farms around the Carroll County area. He attended York Community Schools at Thomson and enjoyed living in the country learning to farm. This is when he began his love for horses. Over the years he trained many horses to ride and drive. As a teenager, Harry hitch-hiked to Cheyenne, Wyoming to visit his sister, and that is where he met Velma Foreman, the love of his life.

On August 16, 1952, Harry married Velma Foreman in Chapel, Nebraska. They lived near Thomson and raised four children, Steve, Vicky, Becky and Sheila, and celebrated 57 years of marriage until Velma’s passing in 2008. Harry soldiered-on for the next fifteen years, treasuring every moment and memory that he and Velma shared.

Harry farmed as a hobby using horse drawn equipment. He had been member of the Northern Illinois Draft Horse and Mule Association. Harry kept busy driving semi, welding for JT Cullen for 20 years and farming. He also had the opportunity to go into business with his brother, Dwight, and together they both ran Standard Pallet Company for 12 years in Thomson. They sold the business in 1999. Harry then drove semi for Schaeffer Fishery until he was 80.

He enjoyed woodworking, building horse-drawn wagons, cupboards, tables, hope chests and just about anything family wanted. He listened to classic country music. One of his favorite things to do was to drive around the countryside. Most of all, Harry loved spending time with his family and friends.

Harry will be dearly missed by a son, Steve (Tina) Wilkinson of Thomson; three daughters, Vicky (Brian) Maze of Thomson, Becky (Sheldon) Geison of Chadwick, and Sheila (Gordie) Hawkins of Thomson; seven grandchildren, Cari (Dan) Bush, Christy (Josh Buikema) Harris, Justin (Katie) Wilkinson, Marissa Wilkinson, Emily (Riley) Denekas, Shawn (Evie Roberts) Geison, and Cassie Hawkins; three step grandsons; eight great-grandchildren, Averi, Luke, Skyler, Rylee, Adelle, Elise, Owen and Caleb; a brother, Herb Wilkinson of Savanna; a sister, Sharon Miller of Pearl City; a sister in-law, Diane Wilkinson; a brother in-law, Jim Manning of Washington; and a special family friend, Craig Sturtz, as well as his many nieces and nephews.

Harry is preceded in death by his wife, Velma; one granddaughter, Melinda; brothers, Dwight (Estella) Wilkinson and Harold “Gene” Wilkinson; Sister, Alice (George) Yeager, brothers in-law, Larry Miller, Lee Foreman, Larry Foreman, Clyde Foreman, and Franklin Foreman; and sisters in-law, Doris, Rosie, Shirley, Jeannie, and Joan.