Larry L. Wilkinson

Of Shorewood, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, June 15, 2026, at the age of 89.

Larry is survived by his loving children Debra (William) Gray, Michael (Fran) Wilkinson and Donna (Patrick) Samek. He was a proud grandfather of Eric (fiancée Kathy Vorbau) Gray, Megan (Tom) Gertz, Ryan (Abby Stewart) Wilkinson, Danielle (Megan Porch) Samek, Alex (Krissy) Wilkinson, Samantha (T.J.) Loane and Bryan (Allison Rodgers) Samek. Larry was also blessed with eleven great-grandchildren Haley and Zachary Gray, Nolan and Madelyn Gertz, Finley, Ella, and Teagan Loane, Tommy, Tyler, Nick, Matt, and Charlotte Wilkinson. He is also survived by his brother Lynn (Carol) Wilkinson and also several loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years Janet Wilkinson (née VanCloostere) in 2005, his parents Marlin and Nellie Wilkinson and his sister Judy Nossaman, in 2021.

A resident of Shorewood since 1965, Larry was born in Henderson, Iowa. He attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse in Mills County, Iowa, middle school in Beatrice, Nebraska, and completed both high school and junior college in Centralia, Illinois. One of his favorite stories was telling his children that his mile-long walk to school on a dirt road was "uphill both ways", explaining that half the trip was downhill and the other half uphill.

Larry devoted 42 years of service to Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America. During his career, he worked in Centralia, Illinois, Conroe, Texas, Hammond, Indiana and Joliet. Ultimately he spent the final 22 years at the company's headquarters in Chicago.

Dedicated to his community, Larry was actively involved in Scouting, Troy Baseball and the Troy Band Parents organization. During the 1970’s, he served six years as a Shorewood Village Trustee. In that role, he was appointed to establish Shorewood's first full-time police department. Larry hired the department's first officer, Chief Donald Lattin, and together they developed the original qualifications, policies and standards that helped shape the future of the department.

Larry was also a devoted member of Hope United Methodist Church. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for eight years and later was appointed Chairman of the Building Committee responsible for overseeing the construction of the church's new sanctuary and narthex, completed in 2014. Outside of his family, helping establish the Shorewood Police Department and leading the church building project were among the accomplishments of which he was most proud.

A Memorial Celebration of Larry's Life will be held at Hope United Methodist Church, 2506 Caton Farm Road on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. Rev. Ron DeBaun officiate. Interment will be held privately. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service. Memorials in Larry's name to the Hope United Methodist Church Bell Tower Fund or Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care will be appreciated.