Jay Wilkinson September 29, 1927-September 15, 2023
Jay Benjamin Wilkinson, 95, passed away on Friday, Sept. 15 at Bluff Haven Assisted Living in Prairie du Chien, just two weeks shy of his birthday. He is now pain free and standing tall and straight in Heaven.
Ben was born Sept. 29, 1927, in Little Grant Township, Grant County WI to Jay and Edna (Morrow) Wilkinson. He graduated from Bloomington High School in 1944 and continued farming with his dad.
On June 24, 1950, he married Nancy Schneider of Prairie du Chien, and they raised three children on a dairy and hog farm in Bloomington township. He was very proud to be the third generation to own the farm which was originally purchased by his grandparents in 1909.
The family was recognized at the Wisconsin State Fair in 2009 for 100 years of continuous family ownership. Ben was a dedicated farmer, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was dearly loved by his family and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his three children, Greg Wilkinson, temporarily living in Monroe, WI, Diane (Greg) Perkins, Lancaster, WI and Theresa (Steve) Pendleton, Boscobel, WI. Two grandchildren, Jay (Shelly) Pendleton, Monona, IA and Stephanie (Justin Endres) Pendleton, DeForest, WI. Two precious great grandchildren, Emilia Pendleton, and Levi Endres. Ben is also survived by his sister Leona (Joe) Osterhaus of Virginia and cousin Lyle Wilkinson, Prairie du Chien and several nieces and nephews.
Ben was preceded in death by his parents Jay and Edna, a brother Leland, an infant sister Betty and niece Tonya Vogel. Nancy passed on October 9, 2022, and now he is by her side again.
Friends and family may greet the family on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 9-11 a.m. at Garrity Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien. Private family burial will take place at the Patch Grove Cemetery. The family would like to express their thanks to Garrity Funeral Home, Bluff Haven Assisted Living and St. Croix Hospice for all their care and concern for Ben and his family.
“Three things will last forever – faith, hope and love—and the greatest of these is love” Corinthians 13:13
