Audra Eileen Wilkinson

Audra Eileen Wilkinson, 87, of Allendale, Illinois, passed away Sunday, September 7, 2025, at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 7, 1938, in Cowling, Illinois, the daughter of Charles and Maudie (Simmons) Brines. She married Marshall Wilkinson on June 17, 1956, and they were blessed with sixty-nine years of marriage together.
Audra graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1956. She went to work at Meissner's and then Champion Laboratories for twenty-three years. After retiring from factory work, she remained busy working as a cake decorator for Red and White Grocery and then IGA. Audra also made beautiful cakes for family weddings and birthdays. She loved to bake and cook for her family, always making everyone's favorites. Hosting fish fries and trash can dinners was extra fun for her and the family. Audra enjoyed many hobbies over the years while tending to and raising horses. She loved riding horses with her daughters and husband and enjoyed camping. Audra always had a project or idea for her husband to build or remodel, and she worked side by side with him to bring her visions to life. She was an avid gardener and landscaper. She loved her flowers and plants, passing that talent on to her daughter, and to her namesake, Audra Robinson. She loved painting, sewing and all things artsy. She and her husband were very involved with the International Program at Wabash Valley College, hosting and welcoming over one hundred students into their home over the course of twenty years. Many of the students still kept in contact with them and call them mom and dad. Audra's favorite thing in the world was spending time with her family. She adored her husband, children, grandkids and great grandkids. She would text each one every night individually to check on them until she was no longer able. Audra was dearly loved by her family and friends and her presence on this earth will be missed immensely.
Audra leaves behind her beloved husband, Marshall; children, Debbie Isaac and friend, Rob Risley, Julie Jackson and husband Joe, Sonya Schuler and husband Tim; grandchildren, Marshal (Ja Deal) Payne, Jonathan (Kristi) Isaac, Victoria Eileen Kuzmich, John Tracy (Clarissa) Kuzmich, Nathaniel Joseph Jackson, Zack Robinson, Haden Robinson, Audra Robinson; great grandchildren, Alexandria Isaac, Olivia Payne, Ryan Payne, Lucas Isaac, Geneva Smith-Kuzmich, Cecily Smith-Kuzmich, Adalyn Kuzmich, Jaxon Kuzmich; sister, Sheila Knight.
Audra was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Lester Brines, Charles Ray Brines; son-in-law, Joe Isaac.
The family will gather privately for a Graveside Service on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Adams Corner Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Audra's memory to Riley's Children's Hospital.
Envelopes will be at the funeral home or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Audra's tribute wall, and leave condolences for the Wilkinson family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com