Thomas Wilkinson

Thomas Joseph Wilkinson, 89, of Moline, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2015, at Genesis Medical Center, Silvis, Illinois, after a brief illness. He enjoyed a long life and many happy years of retirement.

A celebration of life service will be held at Riverside United Methodist Church, Moline, on Sunday, August 16th, at 1:00 p.m. Private services will be this week at Benton United Methodist Church, Benton, Wisconsin, followed by burial at the church cemetery. Memorials may be given to Riverside United Methodist Church.

He was born August 26, 1925, in Benton, the son of Fred William and Edna (Turnbull) Wilkinson. He graduated Valedictorian from Benton High School. Tom married Marlys Carter on September 7, 1946, in Benton. The couple celebrated 68 years together last September. He received a Music degree from the University of Dubuque and dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Agricultural Engineering from the University of Wisconsin.

Tom helped run the Wilkinson family farm while his only brother served in World War II. Tom played in a dance band through his collegiate days to help fund his and Marlys' college degrees. Tom began his career working for Ethyl Corporation in Detroit, Michigan. He moved to Moline in 1967 to continue his career at John Deere as Manager of Tractor Product Planning, retiring in 1986.

Tom was a member of Riverside United Methodist Church, Moline, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Lexington Country Club Chorale in Fort Myers, Florida, Short Hills Country Club in East Moline, Illinois, and was a 60-year member of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

Tom is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and a great grandson, son John (Noel), Kathryn; daughter Laurie Zelnio (Bill), Stephanie, (Brenden), great grandson, Noah, Elizabeth, Steven; daughter Lynn Kingman (Jim), Robert, Daniel Dorr; daughter Jane Stevens (Chuck), Claire, Charlie; son Fred Wilkinson, granddaughter Madison, and a brother, Don (Betty).

Visit Tom's personal tribute page at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com to share stories and condolences, and light a free candle in his memory.