Betty Jean (BJ) Wilkins

Betty Jean Wilkins, 76, of Buckingham passed away April 1, 2009 at Miller Center in Kankakee. She was born September 16, 1932 the daughter of Willard and Elvira (Sumner) Essington in Buckingham. She married Othal Lee Wilkins on March 31, 1951, He died on July 7, 1997.Betty Jean Wilkins worked at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee for 20 yrs as a courier retiring in 1998. She is of the Methodist faith, a member of the Cabery & Chebanse Eastern Star, past worthy Matron and grand representative of Oregon in Illinois and Buckingham Methodist Ladies Aide. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading, card playing and beanie babies.BJ is survived by daughters Helen(Jack)Nethercutt of LasVegas, NV; Nancy Freese of Farmington, Lorie Essington of Westminster,CA; Brenda (Tony) Buono of Kankakee; a son Troy (Vanessa) Wilkins of Mountain Home, ID; 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren;2 step grandchildren; 2 step great grandchildren; sisters Geraldine West of Hobart, IN; Delores(Harry) Piggush of Kankakee and Mary Ellen (Tom) Greenwood of Ramsey.She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, 1 son Roger Dean Wilkins, great grandchild Emma Poulin and brother in law Lynn West, Sr.