James "Jim" R. Wilkinson

James Richard Wilkinson was born on April 21, 1952, at St Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, to Daisy (Bryant) and Vincent Wilkinson. Jim passed from this life on April 15, 2026, 6 days before his 74th birthday, at UW Hospital with his wife Cindy by his side after a long battle with cancer.

One of 12 children, Jim grew up surrounded by family. On February 6th, 1988, Jim married Cindy (Brunswick) in Arena, Wisconsin. Together they raised 3 children, Patrick, Clarissa and Matthew, in Plain, Wisconsin.

Jim retired from Plastic Ingenuity at the age of 62 after 30+ years of service. This gave him time to spend at the cabin up north with family and take care of the small farm in Plain. Jim loved to tell stories of Deer Camp, bear hunting and fishing. Jims last months was spent in the Putsin Palace (his shed with the fire stove), and on good days he loved to sit on the swing in the back yard and watch the deer with Cindy. The family is grateful for Jim’s chance to have one more get away to the cabin with his brothers to make some lasting memories.

Jim was a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and grandpa (Papa). He will be missed by many.

Besides his wife, Cindy, Jim is survived by his children; Patrick (Bea) Wilkinson, Clarissa (Ron) Pitkin and Matthew Wilkinson; grandchildren, Shea Wilkinson, Connor Wilkinson, Bryson, Breaunna, Jocelyn and Austin Pitkin, and Wyatt Wilkinson; siblings, Howard (Barb) Wilkinson, Kenny (Mary Jo) Wilkinson, Cal (Fran) Wilkinson, Sue Wilkinson, Marilyn (Randy) Christian, Margaret (Jeff) Blaska, Sarah (Brian) Ringlestetter, and Joann (Chad) Hankins; Jim is also survived by his children James Imel and Brandy Zimmerman, his in laws, many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Daisy, brothers John (1948) and Joe (1973), his sister Janet Marie (2004), nephew Howard Wilkinson (1987), brothers-in-law, Bob Bailey (2021) and Greg Brunswick (2026), sister-in-law, Shirley Meise (2024) and many other aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

The family would like to thank Margaret and Jeff Blaska for all of their care and attention, and to the UW Carbone Cancer clinic for their treatment and care for Jim.

A funeral service for Jim will be held on Wednesday, Apr. 22, 2026 at 11:00 am at Hooverson Funeral Home, 702 Emily Rd., Mazomanie. A visitation will be held from 9:00 am until the time of service. Burial will follow in the Mazomanie Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at hooversonfuneralhomes.com