Barbara J. Wilkey, 90, formerly of Belle Rive, Illinois passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at Friendship Manor in Nashville, IL.

She was born May 15, 1929 in Macedonia, IL, the daughter of Clarence and Madge (Carlton) Bolen.  Barbara and her husband, the late Donald E. Wilkey, owned and operated Wilkey Cafe in Belle Rive, IL for many years.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Madonna (Alan) Karcher of Jerseyville, IL; daughter-in-law, Cherlyn Wallace Wilkey of Belle Rive, IL; step sister, Iris (Paul) Richards of Belle Rive, IL; brother-in-law, Jack (Ronnie) Wilkey of Tennessee; sister-in-law, Beverly Kelly of Mt. Vernon, IL; five grandchildren: Sean (Aleasha) Wilkey of Dix, IL, Natasha (Conn) Bancroft of Mt. Vernon, IL, Brian (Mary) Karcher of Edwardsville, IL, Brittany (Josh) Stumpe of Glen Carbon, IL and Jill (Kyle) Thomas of Troy, IL; and eleven great grandchildren: Mikaela and Mikanda Wilkey, Hannah Bancroft, Makenna, Hadley and Lillian Karcher, Avery and Allie Stumpe, Kason, Kendall and Kora Thomas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, step father, Frank Marlow; husband and one son, Donnie Wilkey.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 18, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro with the Rev. Keith Neal officiating.  Visitation will be Sunday, August 18 from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service at 1:30 p.m. at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.  Barbara will be laid to rest at the Flint-Belle Rive Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be made to the Opdyke Baptist Church or the Belle Rive Baptist Church and will be accepted at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.
The Gholson Funeral Home of McLeansboro is in charge of arrangements.