Curtis D. Wilkerson

Curtis D. Wilkerson, 74, of Du Quoin, died at 7:15 a. m. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.

Mr. Wilkerson was born on Dec. 25, 1938 in Christopher, Ill. the son of Arlie Newton "Mooch" Wilkerson and Nancy "Beotta" (Evans) Wilkerson. He married the former Bonnie Waller on Oct. 27, 1998 and she survives.

Curt was a retired coal miner having worked for Old Ben Coal Company for 30 years. He was a member of the U.M.W.A. and a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served from 1956 to 1964. He was an avid fisherman and loved to golf with his friends. Curt was an accomplished artist, designing and creating beautiful handmade knives in his spare time.

He is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie Wilkerson, Du Quoin; one daughter, Dana Wilkerson, West Frankfort; five grandchildren, Shane and Tyler Wilkerson, both of Akin, Kasey O'Steen, West Frankfort, Kaitlyn (Geoff) Hogue, West Frankfort, Josh Grimes, Ava; a great-granddaughter, Nora O'Steen, West Frankfort; one brother, Joe Wilkerson, House Springs, Mo.; one sister, Maxine Wilkerson Scheibe, St. Louis, Mo. and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mr. Wilkerson was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Mary Lou Wilkerson; infant son, Curtis D. Wilkerson Jr.; a son, Arlie Mitchell Wilkerson and two sisters, Mary June Wilkerson and Alice Ogden.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p. m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Benton. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p. m. Tuesday at the funeral home with Rev. Derrick Cairel officiating. Burial will be in the Knob Prairie Cemetery, Akin, Ill. with military rites performed by the Benton American Legion and V.F.W. and the Marion National Guard Honor Squad.

Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA-TIP Hospice and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Visit www.hobbsjohnson.com to sign the memorial guestbook.