Mary Joan Gilkerson, 94, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025 at Acorn Estates surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on March 19, 1930 in Olney, Illinois, the daughter of Ira and Lura Frances (Gubbins) Gaines. Mary Joan married Charles E. Gilkerson on June 4, 1953 in Grayville, Illinois and together they enjoyed sixty-four years of marriage centered on their family before his passing on January 14, 2022. In 1953, Joan and her husband Chuck opened Gilkerson Cleaners in Mount Carmel, where they built lasting friendships while serving the community. Joan also worked in retail in Mount Carmel. In their free time, they loved spending as much time as possible together boating on Lake Barkley.
Joan was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who cherished her family with all her heart. She was very creative and always crafting something special for her family and friends. Every Halloween, Joan crafted unique designs on p

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