John W. Wilkinson

John William Wilkinson of Leasburg, Missouri was born September 5, 1941 in Perry, Illinois, to the late John Guy and Velma (Nettles). John departed this life on November 4, 2021 having reached the age of 80 years, 1 month and 29 days at his residence in Leasburg, MO, after fighting a battle against heart disease.

John and Susie (Ayres) were married at Flint Hill, Missouri, on February 6, 1960.

John worked as a metal finisher for Keystone Plating in St. Louis, Missouri, prior to starting the family business Highline Plating in 1985. John resided in Mineral Point, Missouri, prior to relocating to Leasburg, Missouri, in the early 1990’s to be closer to the family business. John retired from Highline Plating in 2003. John was an avid outdoorsman. In addition to fishing every available moment, John also loved to hunt, camp and travel.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by two sons Johnny Guy and Gary Wilkinson; one daughter-in-law Carla Wilkinson; two brothers, Donnie Ray and Ralph Guy Wilkinson; four sisters, Judy Jenkins, Ellen Bowen, Carolyn Stevenson and Loretta Fay Wilkinson.

Those who are left to honor his memory and to continue his legacy are his loving wife of sixty-one years Susie (Ayres) Wilkinson of the family home; four children Debbie Hedrick of Fenton, Missouri, David Wilkinson of Salem, Missouri, Clifford Wilkinson of Leasburg, Missouri, Norma Payne and husband Roger Sr of St. James, Missouri; one brother Vearn “Butch” Wilkinson and wife Loretta of Potosi, Missouri; one sister-in-law Sharon Wilkinson, and brother-in-law Buddy Bowen; ten grandchildren: Carl “Randy” Hedrick, Jonathan Wilkinson (Beth), Ashley Wilkinson (special friend Thomas Green), Derek Payne (Karlee), Daemon Payne (Kaitlin), Roger Payne Jr II (Ashley), Tiffany Payne, Kayla Wilkinson, Nicholas Wilkinson, and Kyle Wilkinson; sixteen great-grandchildren: Krystal Chapman; Caralynn and Carlina Hedrick; Eric, Dean and Joseph Rothgeb; Landon Gentry Spitzmiller; Katelyn, Emma, Jaedyn, Carter, Maxwell, Madelyn, Roger Jr III, and Maralynne Payne; and Brayden Carman; cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 5-8 p.m. at Mizell Funeral Home 904 W. Washington St. Cuba, Missouri.

Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2021 1:00 p.m. at Mizell Funeral Home with Rev. George Pearson, officiating.

Interment will follow at Crossroads Cemetery, Leasburg, Missouri.

Everyone is invited to continue the celebration of John’s life, through a potluck meal and fellowship at the Knights of Columbus Hall 7057 Old Hwy. 66, Cuba Missouri.

If desired, memorials would be appreciated to the American Heart Association.

The Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba is honored to be serving the Wilkinson family.