Charles L. Wilkinson, 65, of Belvidere and formerly of Capron and Chemung, IL passed away peacefully Saturday December 14, 2013 in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 20, 1948 in Harvard, IL the son of William and Ellen (Rutledge) Wilkinson. Charles has 4 siblings, Edward (Susie) Wilkinson, Richard (Diane) Wilkinson, Patricia Wilkinson and Daniel (Marie) Wilkinson. He married Patricia Stennerson on May 4, 1973, she preceded him in death on December 18, 1982; he then married Linda Brown on March 2, 1992. Charles was blessed with a son, Michael (Jennifer) Wilkinson and stepchildren; Pamela (John) Stennerson Wrasse, Betsy (Ted) Stennerson Morris, Roger "Chip" (Julie) Stennerson, Charles (Julie) Brown, Laura Brown; 13 grandchildren, Michael Wilkinson, Jr., Jamilyn Smolik, Austin Smolik, Annika Brown, Elaina Brown, Angela (Stennerson) Smith, Patricia "Sissy" Stennerson, Ashley (Stennerson) Malone, Matthew Morris, Adam Morris, Sarah (Morris) Pastor, Kyle Wrasse, Brian Wrasse; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Charles served our country in the US Army during Vietnam as a decoder in the Stratcom Division from Aug 1967 until his honorable Discharge in 1972. He graduated from SIU with a degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering. His career included working at Byron Nuclear Power plant during its initial phase; Honeywell, Inc. and working as a mail carrier for the US Post Office in Capron, IL. Charles is a member of VietNow, Studebaker Club, Inc., American Legion, Moose and Chemung United Methodist Church. He was strong in his faith and attended First United Methodist Church with his wife, Linda. In retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family, watching all of his grandson Mikey's baseball games, driving his 1941 Champion Studebaker, antiquing, participating in auctions and staying active in VietNow. Charles is preceded in death by his parents; first wife Patricia; brother Danny; stepdaughter, Pamela and grandchildren Kyle and Brian.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to the Rockford Chapter of VietNow in his memory.