Donald Robert Wilken, 96, of Danforth, formerly of Loda, passed away on Monday, October 26, 2026 at Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth. He was born on August 6, 1930 to Sebo and Tracy (Classen) Wilken. Donald married Carlene McKinney on August 3, 1952 in Urbana and she preceded him in death on September 1, 1991. Donald then married Mary Jo Hastings on August 6, 1994 in Loda and she survives.
He was preceded by parents, Carlene Wilken, 2 grandsons, 2 brothers and 2 sisters.
Donald is survived by 4 children, Scott (Deb) Wilken of Danforth, Kimberly (Rick) Rader of Onarga, Mack (Brenda) Wilken of Onarga and Reed (Kim) Wilken of Johnsburg, IL; 2 step-children, Patrick (Tatiana) Hastings of Rantoul and Ann (Brad) Kafer of Peru, IL; 14 grandchildren, Tyler (Amy) Wilken, Christopher (Mary) Wilken, Angela (Jim) Pratt, Lindsey (Curtis Bastin) Rader, Kelly (Darius) Miknaitis, Trenton (Kristy) Rader, Bryan (BrieAnne) Rader, Staci Wilken, Jami McElroy (Eric McElroy-deceased), Kyli Markley, Cody Wilken, Keagon (John) Urban, Karlyn (Gavin) Warmbold, Kaleigh (Anthony) Valandingham, and (Kameron Wilken-deceased); 3 step-grandchildren, Alexandra Hastings, Benjamin Kafer, and William Kafer; 38 great-grandchildren; 10 step-great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; 6 step-great-great-grandchildren; and his sister-in-law Roberta Ahrens in Texas.
Don loved his family and would name all his many cousins before falling asleep. His many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren were the light of his life. Hearing stories about them made him smile.
Don was a member of many ag-related organizations throughout his life. Starting with being a 4-H member and later a leader of the Danforth Blue Ribbon 4-H Club. As an adult he served as a member of the Iroquois County Fair Board for 60 years, 5 as President.
In High School he was a proud FFA member, participating in many areas. He graduated from Gilman High School in 1948.
Don was an Air Force ROTC member when he was enrolled at the University of Illinois. He studied Agriculture and was a member of FarmHouse Fraternity serving as President and other offices. He was a member of many groups and was recognized as an outstanding member in many of them.
Donald served in the Air Force from 1952 to 1954 when he returned to Danforth to farm with his father. Farming was his passion. He was innovative in many practices for crops and the swine industry. He served as President of the Illinois Port Producers as well as President of the Ford-Iroquois County Pork Producers. He supported and promoted the pork industry all his life. Don was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Danforth, serving on Church Council and as a Sunday School teacher. He was instrumental in developing Prairieview Lutheran Nursing Home, together with many area churches. He served as President of the Board for 9 years. He was a member of the Danforth Historical Society.
In his later years he went West to do Custom Wheat Harvesting, purchasing a log home in the Rio Grande San Luis Valley.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the 11:30 a.m. funeral service on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at St. John Lutheran Church in Danforth. Pastor Tim Tammen will officiate. Burial will follow at the Danforth Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the Central VFW and Ashkum American Legion.
Memorials may be made to Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth, Danforth Blue Ribbon 4-H Club, Iroquois County Fair Association, St. John Lutheran Church in Danforth, FarmHouse Fraternity, or as the Family wishes.
Arrangements are by the Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman.
