George Ivan Wilkins, 94, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois passed away at 5:26 P.M. on May 16, 2011 at his residence in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Mr. Wilkins was born on November 15, 1916 in Marion County, Illinois the son of the late Jesse Floyd and Linnie Hester (Byars) Wilkins. He married Betty Howard on March 8, 1941 in South Fulton, Tennessee. Surviving family members include his wife: Betty Jane Wilkins of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; 2 sons: Robert Wilkins and wife Judith of Carlyle, Illinois and John Wilkins of Milan, Illinois; 3 grandchildren: Nathaniel Wilkins and wife Brandi of Breeze, Illinois, Jennifer Gansauer and husband Paul of Carlyle, Illinois and Rebecca Hook and husband Jacob of Pearland, Texas; great granddaughter: Addison Gansauer of Carlyle, Illinois. His parents and stepmother: Grace and 1 infant daughter preceded him in death. Mr. Wilkins served in the Army overseas for 3 years during World War II and was a retired rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. GRAVESIDE SERVICES: will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, May 20, 2011 at Hopewell Cemetery in Jefferson County, Illinois. A Military Flag Presentation will be conducted by American Legion Post 141 at the cemetery. Mr. Randy Sells will officiate. VISITATION: will be held from 5 to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. INTERMENT: Hopewell Cemetery in Jefferson County, Illinois. For those who wish, memorials may be given to Angels on Assignment or Hospice of the Good Samaritan and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864.