Diane E. Wilkinson

Diane E. Wilkinson of Mt. Carroll, formerly of Thomson, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024. A devoted mother, grandmother, and friend, Diane touched the lives of all who knew her with her warmth, kindness, and unwavering love for her family.

A memorial service to honor Diane’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Thomson. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at a later date in Lower York Cemetery.

Born on August 25, 1947, Diane was the daughter of David and Illabelle (Miller) Crotts. She grew up in Morrison and Thomson, and attended Thomson High School. In 1970, she met the love of her life, Harold Wilkinson. Their connection was immediate, and they were married on October 16, 1971. Together, they shared 43 wonderful years of marriage, raising a family and creating a lifetime of memories until Harold’s passing in 2014.

Diane’s heart was dedicated to her family. Her children fondly recall her care and creativity, from organizing picnic lunches during fishing trips to visiting Harold at work in the woods. A talented cook, Diane was renowned for her barbecue ribs and fried chicken, and she eagerly collected and experimented with new recipes throughout her life.

A natural caregiver, Diane worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Big Meadows nursing home for ten years. In her spare time, she expressed her creativity through crocheting afghans, needlepoint, and solving puzzles. Her generosity and love for others were evident in every aspect of her life, and she had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel valued.

The proud center of Diane’s world was her family, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved sharing stories about them and took immense pride in their accomplishments. Diane will be deeply missed by her three sons, David (Beth) Wilkinson of Thomson, Randy (Tammy Justman) Wilkinson of Chadwick, IL, and Dan (Sandy) Howard of Clinton, IA; three daughters, Dawn (Christopher) Wiebenga of Thomson, Autumn (William) Brown of Port Byron, IL, and Melody Bailey of Savanna; 12 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her half-brother, Randall Crotts of Hickory Grove, TN, her aunt Donna Selden of Dixon, IL, many cousins, nieces, and nephews, and her dear friend, Vicki Curboy of Mt. Carroll.

Diane is reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Harold; her parents; her brothers, David and Mike; her half-sister, Cheryl; her grandchildren, Ryan, Kalene, Kaitlyn, Riley, and Jennifer; and her good friend Wanda Smith.