LINDENWOOD — Mary Alice Wilkinson (nee Doster) passed peacefully into God’s loving arms on Oct. 20, 2017 at age 93. Mary knew that we were born into life and that the journey continues after we have finished our days on this earth. She accepted this on faith and this faith was nourished by all of her convictions and actions. Mary was a strong individual that lived a full, generous, exuberant life here on this earth. She was a friend and blessing to all around her.
Mary was born to the parents of William and Mai Doster on Aug. 24, 1924 in Ethridge, Tenn. She attended schools in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and graduated from Murfreesboro Central High School in 1942. She attended St. Thomas school of Nursing in Nashville Tenn. She also attended classes at Peabody college and Vanderbilt University.
She married Marvin F. Wilkinson on July 15, 1944 just prior to Marvin heading to the WW II European theater as a U.S. Army Air Corps B-24 pilot. They were married for 73 years. Mary and Marvin lived on a farm near Rochelle for 50 years.
Mary enjoyed belonging to the Rochelle Woman’s Club and the Lindenwood Union Church. She loved to sew and knit, then give away or donate her creations. Mary obtained her pilots license at age 56 and continued to fly with Marvin on many adventures in the Midwest and in Canada. Mary was an experienced fisherwoman. She had a passion for flying to Canada to fish with Marvin, friends and family. She worked for General Electric and Wurlitzer in Dekalb for several years.
Survivors include daughter, Sandra (Ken) Halwachs of Stratford, Ontario; son, Floyd (Anne) Wilkinson, Kenosha, Wis.; daughter-in-law Penny Wilkinson of Delafield; and six grandchildren, Philip Rolfe, Lisa Palasti, Tricia LaBarre, Nathan, Chad and Colin Wilkinson. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Anthony and Evan Palasti, Jacob Rolfe and Lincoln LaBarre.
She was predeceased by her son, Greg Wilkinson; sisters, Gladys and Ruby; and her Mother and Father, Mai Doster and William Doster.
She was also survived by her caregiver and friend, Lori Johnson.
Visitation and memorial service with family is from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25 at Avalon Square, 222 Park Place, Waukesha, Wis. Mary’s life celebration with fellowship and light hors d’oeuvres to follow promptly at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations may be made to the Lindenwood Union Church, Galena & Walnut, Lindenwood, IL 61049.