Edward Michael Wilkowski, age 69, of Florence, passed away Sunday, August 11, 2013. Visitation will be Thursday, August 15, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Spry-Williams Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Church, Florence, on Friday, August 16 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Roy Runkle, officiating. Burial will be at Greenview Memorial Park. Mr. Wilkowski retired from the Chicago Police Department in 1997. He received the Blue Star Award on May 12, 1981, and Honorable Mention on October 6, 1981. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal. He was an avid golfer, loved to fish, filled his backyard with flowers and grew enough tomatoes to share with all the neighbors. He was a food connoisseur and he brought a smile to everyone’s face. He was one of a kind! He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Joann; children, Lisa (Scott) McCrory and Eddie (Vanessa) Wilkowski; grandchildren, Alec, Benjamin, and Ella Wilkowski. Pallbearers will be Frank Palmere, John Maxwell, Danny Hughes, Scott McCrory, Coy Bramlett, Mike Styles, Chip Daniel and Eddie Wilkowski.
