George Wilkens

WILKENS, PROCTOR, ILLGEN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 11/14/2021 at 08:11:32

15 January 1959 - Monticello Express

George F. Wilkens, 96, of Chicago Heights, Ill., who operated and owned one of Monticello's early stores, died Monday at St. James hospital, Chicago Heights.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 14) at Goettsch Funeral home here with Rev. R. V. Porter, retired Methodist minister, conducting the services. Burial was in Oakwood cemetery.

In 1860 a grocery store was built by Samuel Wales and his son on the corner of First and Main streets where the Energy Manufacturing company plant now stands. W. H. Proctor, a clerk in the store, bought out the Wales store.

Mr. Wilkens married Nellie Ptoctor, daughter of W. H. Proctor, and took over operation of the store. Later the Wilkenses sold out to the Dayton Yousses, who operated the store until it was torn down in the fall of 1953 to make way for the Energy addition.

Mrs. Wilkins died in 1941.

Mr. Wilkens left Monticello to live with his daughter, Mrs. Adele Illgen in Chicago Heights, Ill, five years ago.

Mr. Wilkens is survived by his daughter and a granddaughter, Mary Illgen. A son, John, preceded him in death Jan. 6, 1952.