Joseph "Joe" W. Wilkinson

Joseph “Joe” William Wilkinson, age 82, passed away on November 5, 2025, at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon. He was born on September 16, 1943, to Lansford and Martha (Tindell) Wilkinson in the Galena area. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps.

Joe married the love of his life, Toni Hilfiker, on November 30, 1968, and together they shared 57 years of love and laughter. He worked as a sheriff’s deputy, a real estate agent, and taught real estate classes. His favorite job was driving a school bus for area schools. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing—especially on his yearly trips to Canada—and taking road trips with Toni.

He was an avid high school sports fan and a founding member of Ogle County Pheasants Forever in 1988. Joe was a social person who never knew a stranger. More than anything, Joe loved his family. He loved being a father, grandfather and uncle.

He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Ruth, Harold, Dorothy Ann, Donnie, Gary, Carolyn, and Jim. He is survived and missed by his loving wife, Toni of Byron; daughters, Michelle (Dave) Hoshaw of Byron and Erin (Daniel Araya) Chavez of O’Fallon, MO; sisters, Mary Lee (Richard, deceased) of Oregon, Martha (Bob) Hickman of Byron, and Emma (Junior) Scharpf of Galena; and grandchildren, Sarah Hoshaw, Eric Hoshaw, Elliana Chavez, and Makayla Chavez.

A memorial service honoring his well-lived life will be held at 12:00 PM on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Oregon, with Pastor Walt Hoshaw of First Baptist Church in Beloit officiating. A visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10:00 AM. Memorials are established for Ogle County Pheasants Forever or Serenity Hospice & Home of Oregon.