Kimberly Sue Wilkinson, 76, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, quietly departed this world Saturday evening, November 6, 2021, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital, leaving broken hearted her beloved husband, Ronnie; children, Dana (Mark) Davey and Jim (Tonya) Wheeler; stepchildren, Kristina (Shawn) Byrley and Melissa (Thomas) Sparks; grandchildren, Jamelyn Wheeler, Pascal Davey, Paige Gossman, Bode Pressley, Hattie Marie Sparks, Deacon and Savannah Byrley. Sue also leaves behind her sister, Lynne Harkleroad; nephews, Brad and Bruce Wood and their families.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents; Lynn and Juanita (Standeford) Johnson; her precious daughter, Jaimie Raibley; and her brother, Dana Johnson.
Sue was President of the first graduating class of Registered Nurses from Wabash Valley College. She worked in several settings over the years, ending her career as the Director of Family Planning at the Wabash County Health Department. A single mom for many years, she reared her children while balancing work, school, home, and the care of her daughter, Jamie, who had Cystic Fibrosis. She tried always to be generous in spirit, and was smarter, kinder, and stronger than she ever believed herself to be. She adored her friends and co-workers at the Health Department, and she was especially fond of the many clients that she served there, often working behind the scenes to get them any extra care or assistance they might need.
On August 28, 1987, Sue married Ronnie, and they shared 34 years together. They strived to blend a family of five children and eventually seven grandchildren. Sue loved being a grandmother and was especially proud of each of her grandchildren’s accomplishments. She will be profoundly missed by her family, who wish to thank all those who loved her, for their kindness and friendship over the years. Please know how very much you meant to her.
Funeral Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday, November 12th, 2021, at the First General Baptist Church, 120 West 12th St. in Mt. Carmel, with Pastor Gary Underwood officiating. Private Family Burial will take place at Highland Memorial Cemetery.
Family and friends may gather for a Visitation from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., at the First General Baptist Church. Social distancing and COVID masking protocols will be observed at the church.
Memorial Contributions in Sue’s memory may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Gateway Chapter. Envelopes will be available at the Church or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry St., Mt. Carmel, IL 62863.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Sue’s tribute wall, leave condolences and purchase flowers for the Wilkinson family, please visit www.KeepesFuneralHome.com.
