Janet R Wilkinson

Janet R. Wilkinson, 76, of Champaign, passed away on December 25, 2018 at Carle Foundation Hospital after battling Leukemia. She was at peace and ready to be reunited with her husband Cecil in time for their 54th wedding anniversary. She will be remembered for her sharp wit and zany humor.

Janet was born in Mount Carmel, Illinois on October 10, 1942 the daughter of John Theodore "Ted" Lindstrom and Anna "Lenore" Lindstrom. Her father Ted had to drop out of school at a young age, and believed that all of his children should receive an education. Janet graduated from Mount Carmel High School and got her Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Southern Illinois University. Janet was also a clarinet player in the marching band at SIU. Her mother Lenore also had gone back to school and obtained a teaching degree long before the term "non-traditional" student was employed.

On December 26, 1964, Janet married Cecil R. Wilkinson in Mount Carmel, Illinois. They would have two children Jeff Wilkinson of Urbana, Illinois and Martha "Marti" Wilkinson of Champaign, IL. Cecil and Janet became part of a trail blazing generation of parents who advocated for children with special needs. They relocated to Champaign, Illinois in the early 1970s because their son Jeff needed access to resources that were not available in Mount Carmel at the time. Cecil and Janet later saw their daughter graduate from EIU with a masters degree as a non-traditional student.

Janet worked as a teacher for students who needed to be taught from home. She also taught piano from home and gave her son a love for classical music. Janet entertained her daughter by playing tunes like "Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin. She eventually quit playing piano due to carpal tunnel syndrome, but stayed active in the choir at Uni Place Church until she became too sick from Leukemia. She valued and loved her church family and her choir group.

She later worked for the library at Parkland College. While at Parkland she helped organize the labor union for non-academic staff and she retired in 2005. She and Cecil both enjoyed being grandparents to Karen Wilkinson of Champaign, and would take her on bus tours while they were able to travel. She later took care of Cecil when his health declined and he passed away on May 17, 2017. They had 52 years of marriage in life and are now reunited. Janet is survived by her son Jeff, daughter Martha, and granddaughter Karen. She also leaves behind several brothers and sisters-in-law including: Harriet Lindstrom of Downers Grove, IL, Marsha Wilkinson of Covington, IN, Mary Wilkinson of Terre Haute IN, Ron (Sue) Wilkinson and Connie (Doyle) Bradley of Mount Carmel, IL., and Tom Wilkinson (Norma Sisson) of Evansville, IN. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Her cat Hijinks also survives and was a great comfort to her prior to her passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Nora Lindstrom, John Lindstrom, and Gordon Lindstrom. Her brothers-in-law John Wilkinson, Bill Wilkinson, and sister-in-law Barbara Lindstrom also preceded her in death along with niece Stacey Meidel and nephew Bobby Wilkinson.

Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Friday, January 4, 2019 at Sunset Funeral Home, 710 N. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820. Her funeral will be held at 3pm on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Uni Place Church, 403 S. Wright St., Champaign, IL 61820, and she will be laid to rest at Grandview Memorial Gardens at a private ceremony following her funeral. Donations may be made to Courage Connection or Developmental Services Center in her memory.

Services Visitation Friday January 4, 2019 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, , IL 61820 Funeral Service Saturday January 5, 2019 3:00 PM University Place Christian Church E Stoughton St Champaign, , Illinois 61820