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Dr. George T.
Wilkins Jr. George T. Wilkins Jr., M.D., 72, of Culver, Indiana, passed away Saturday, September 10, at Evanston Hospital, Evanston, Illinois. He was born on October 6, 1932, in Wolf Lake, Illinois, to the late Mary and George T. Wilkins Sr. He attended high school at Culver Military Academy, Culver, Indiana, received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana, and completed his medical degree from the University of Illinois School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. On December 18, 1955, he married Frances D. Calvert. He then completed his three-year residency at Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital (Chicago, Illinois) and Milwaukee Children's Hospital (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). He subsequently served in the United States Air Force as a captain and chief of pediatrics in the 823 Medical Group (SAC), Homestead, Florida. After his military service and becoming an American Board Certified Pediatrician, he opened his first, private practice in Decatur, Illinois, followed by practices in Granite City and Edwardsville, Illinois. While practicing in the St. Louis metropolitan area, Dr. Wilkins served on the hospital staff of Children's, Barnes and Jewish Hospitals. In addition, he served as the chief of pediatrics at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Granite City, Illinois, as well as chief of staff and chief of pediatrics at Oliver C. Anderson Hospital, Maryville, Illinois. His medical teaching experience included instruction at the Medical School of Wisconsin (Milwaukee); University of Miami School of Medicine (Miami), and Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis). Dr. Wilkins had a long association with the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS). In 1970 he started as a delegate for the Madison County Medical Society (MCMS). In subsequent years, he served as president of the MCMS as well as president of the Tri-City Medical Society. His local-level involvement quickly transitioned to state leadership positions, including being elected president of the ISMS in 1977. Over three decades of service he became chairman of the Illinois State Medical Society Board of Trustees, chairman of the Illinois Medical Political Action Committee, chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, and chairman of the National Legislative Committee. At the national level, he was actively involved with the American Medical Association for 25 years. During that time, he became chairman of the Illinois delegation. Other accomplishments of his include the American Medical Political Action Committee (board of directors), Forum for Medical Affairs (executive committee), chairman of the Great Lakes Caucus-Seven States, and member of the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs. His civic and service contributions were numerous as he actively participated in over 30 organizations. During his career he was involved in 12 civic groups, with most recent involvement as president of the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Foundation and the Lake Maxinkuckee Country Club (president and board of directors). He was also chosen to serve on the board of directors for over 21 organizations. Some of those organizations included the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees (1979-2000), Colonial Bank (Granite City), Magna Bank, Inc. (St. Louis), and the Culver Legion-Alumni Board (Culver Military Academy). Dr. Wilkins was awarded 13 honors over his lifetime. A selective list of those accomplishments include the Albert Lawrence Kurtz III Memorial Award for Best All-Around Cadet in the Infantry, Outstanding Lobbyist for the Illinois State Medical Society (only time the award was given), De La Roche Award, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Granite City, Illinois, Southern Illinois Medical Association (Favorite Son Award), the Samuel Butler Award (Culver Educational Foundation), and the Sports Hall of Fame (Culver Military Academy). He is survived by his wife, Fran Wilkins of Culver, Indiana, and four children, George T. Wilkins III from Lee's Summit, Missouri, Geoffrey T. Wilkins of Culver, Indiana, Elizabeth A. Wilkins of DeKalb, Illinois, and Cheryl Wilkins Bird of Fishers, Indiana. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Mackenzie Wilkins, Madison Wilkins, Jacob Bird and Brighton Bird. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Northern Illinois University Academic and Athletic Performance Center, (c/o Jim Phillips, athletic director), the Culver Educational Foundation, or to the Marshall County Community Foundation. The visitation will be held on Thursday, September 15, from 2 to 8 p.m. in the Culver Memorial Legion Building. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 16, 2005, in the Culver Military Academy Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Culver Masonic Cemetery. The Bonine-Odom Funeral Home, Culver, is in charge of arrangements.
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