Sandra Mae Wilkinson

Sandra Mae Wilkinson, age 74, of Mt. Carroll, Illinois died Saturday, September 24, 2011 at FHN Hospital, Freeport, Illinois. A funeral service will be held 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll with Pastor Teri Lafferty of the Mt. Carroll United Methodist Church officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the service at the funeral home. Following cremation, burial of ashes will take place in the Schapville Zion Cemetery on in a private, family service. To share condolences and tributes please visit www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com .
Sandy was born August 18, 1937 in Woodbine Twp, the daughter of Harold and Lois (Stadel) Wills. The second of five children, Sandy was instrumental in helping to raise her four siblings and providing for the family after the death of her father when she was just six years old. She grew up in Elizabeth, where her first job at the age of ten was wrapping butter in the local creamery. She also set type and delivered newspapers. She was a graduate of the Elizabeth High School with the Class of 1955 and then later graduated from Capri Beauty School in Dubuque. Soon after completing her education, Sandy married Gordon K. Wilkinson in Elizabeth on July 15, 1956.
Sandy and Gordy started their family while living in Hanover and later moved to Savanna. They remained in Savanna until 1975 when Gordy's job took them to Herlong, California, where they lived until his retirement in 1990. They returned to Illinois and lived in Chadwick until Gordy's death in 2003. While in Chadwick they were members of the Hope United Methodist Church. Sandy has been a resident of the Good Samaritan Home in Mt. Carroll for the past decade.
Sandy was a woman of amazing strength and faith. Her lifelong battle with MS never interfered with the care and love she gave to her family. She remained supportive, kind, and loving to all who knew her. Her joys in life include Dominos, Yahtzee, cooking, sewing, Sunday road trips, and her grandchildren.
Sandy is survived by three daughters, Wendy (David) Jensen of Fallon, Nevada, Connie (Larry Buchanan) Grenoble of Sterling and Kathy Stringer of Temple, Texas; her son, James (Gina) Wilkinson of Mt. Carroll; eight grandchildren, Tessa Rawlinson, Brad (Leah) Grenoble, Dr. Jeremy (Lindsay) Matuszak, Kristopher (Angela) Boetcher, Brooke Grenoble and Sam, Collin, and Quinn Wilkinson; ten great grandchildren, Peyton, Taylor, Jade, Maliah and Lexus Grenoble, Zachary Chance, and Hannah Boetcher, Kendall Rawlinson and London Matuszak due in February, 2012; one brother, Wayne (Fran) Wills of Hanover; one sister, Dixie (Blaine Phillips) Gayton of Rockford; a brother in-law, Antonio Cantu of Mt. Carroll and a sister in-law, Alice Riffe of Savanna; and many nieces and nephews who were very dear to her. Sandy is preceded in death by her husband, Gordy; her parents; and two sisters, Bonita Cantu and Beverly Forrest.