John C. “Buck” Wilkin Jr.
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John C. “Buck” Wilkin Jr., 77, of Hillsboro, passed away peacefully Monday, Dec. 12, 2022 at his home with his family by his side.
He was born Sept. 29, 1945 in Columbus, the son of the late John C. Wilkin Sr. and Betty (Hahn) Wilkin.
Buck was a 1963 graduate from Hillsboro High School, and he earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in Athens. He was an insurance agent for more than 45 years. He and his father owned and operated Wilkin-Wilkin Insurance, where he ran the company alongside his sister, Mary, his mother, Betty, his son-in-law, Ben and all his treasured staff through the years. He was a past president of the Hillsboro School Board, past president of the Highland District Hospital and chairman, past president of the Hillsboro Jaycees, and he was a Hillsboro Swim Club board member, Hillsboro Planning Committee member, member of the Hillsboro Elks Lodge #361, and he served on many various projects within the City of Hillsboro.
In the summer months, you could find Buck on the golf course; watering the uptown Hillsboro flowers; going to the casino; taking his pontoon out on the lake; tending to his property, which included yard work and gardening; or spending time with his family and friends. Buck enjoyed the last several winters at his beloved Florida home at Limetree Park in Bonita Springs. He didn’t know everyone, but everyone knew Buck. He loved going to happy hours with “his Florida girls” and hosting spontaneous get-togethers on his patio. He loved his Limetree family. Buck never met a stranger, he was the life of every party, and he truly lived an extraordinary life. He will be greatly missed.
Buck is survived by his two daughters, Jennifer (Ben) Howland of Hillsboro and Julie (Aaron) Barnum of Indianapolis, Ind.; six grandchildren, Ellie Howland, Paige Howland, Ryan Howland, Megan Barnum, Zachary Barnum and Nathan Barnum; three siblings, Dr. James “Jim” Henry (Linda) Wilkin of Augusta, Ga. Thomas H. (Janice) Wilkin of Redlands, Calif. and Mary (Jay) Hamilton of Hillsboro; nieces and nephews, Dr. Aimee (Dr. Raja) Chatterjee of Winston-Salem, N.C., Dr. Timothy (Timothy O’Toole) Wilkin of Jersey City, N.J., Thomas Patrick (Belinda) Wilkin of Oklahoma City, Okla., Brian Christopher Wilkin of Yucaipa, Calif., Amanda (Bennett) Hunter of Hillsboro and Andy Hamilton of Hillsboro; two stepdaughters, Sara (Billy) Smart and Rachel Fegan; three step-grandchildren, Liam, Quinn and Cathleen; and many friends.
A gathering of family and friends will be held Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022 from 3-6 p.m. at the Hillsboro Orpheum, 135 N. High Street, Hillsboro 45133. A celebration of Buck’s Life will take place Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022 at 6 p.m. at the Hillsboro Orpheum. Burial will take place Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 in the Hillsboro Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Buck’s name to the Highland County Society for Children and Adults, P.O. Box 972, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133; or to the Buck Wilkin Uptown Flower Fund, NCB, 139 S. High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.
The Turner & Son Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.
He was born Sept. 29, 1945 in Columbus, the son of the late John C. Wilkin Sr. and Betty (Hahn) Wilkin.
Buck was a 1963 graduate from Hillsboro High School, and he earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in Athens. He was an insurance agent for more than 45 years. He and his father owned and operated Wilkin-Wilkin Insurance, where he ran the company alongside his sister, Mary, his mother, Betty, his son-in-law, Ben and all his treasured staff through the years. He was a past president of the Hillsboro School Board, past president of the Highland District Hospital and chairman, past president of the Hillsboro Jaycees, and he was a Hillsboro Swim Club board member, Hillsboro Planning Committee member, member of the Hillsboro Elks Lodge #361, and he served on many various projects within the City of Hillsboro.
In the summer months, you could find Buck on the golf course; watering the uptown Hillsboro flowers; going to the casino; taking his pontoon out on the lake; tending to his property, which included yard work and gardening; or spending time with his family and friends. Buck enjoyed the last several winters at his beloved Florida home at Limetree Park in Bonita Springs. He didn’t know everyone, but everyone knew Buck. He loved going to happy hours with “his Florida girls” and hosting spontaneous get-togethers on his patio. He loved his Limetree family. Buck never met a stranger, he was the life of every party, and he truly lived an extraordinary life. He will be greatly missed.
Buck is survived by his two daughters, Jennifer (Ben) Howland of Hillsboro and Julie (Aaron) Barnum of Indianapolis, Ind.; six grandchildren, Ellie Howland, Paige Howland, Ryan Howland, Megan Barnum, Zachary Barnum and Nathan Barnum; three siblings, Dr. James “Jim” Henry (Linda) Wilkin of Augusta, Ga. Thomas H. (Janice) Wilkin of Redlands, Calif. and Mary (Jay) Hamilton of Hillsboro; nieces and nephews, Dr. Aimee (Dr. Raja) Chatterjee of Winston-Salem, N.C., Dr. Timothy (Timothy O’Toole) Wilkin of Jersey City, N.J., Thomas Patrick (Belinda) Wilkin of Oklahoma City, Okla., Brian Christopher Wilkin of Yucaipa, Calif., Amanda (Bennett) Hunter of Hillsboro and Andy Hamilton of Hillsboro; two stepdaughters, Sara (Billy) Smart and Rachel Fegan; three step-grandchildren, Liam, Quinn and Cathleen; and many friends.
A gathering of family and friends will be held Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022 from 3-6 p.m. at the Hillsboro Orpheum, 135 N. High Street, Hillsboro 45133. A celebration of Buck’s Life will take place Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022 at 6 p.m. at the Hillsboro Orpheum. Burial will take place Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 in the Hillsboro Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Buck’s name to the Highland County Society for Children and Adults, P.O. Box 972, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133; or to the Buck Wilkin Uptown Flower Fund, NCB, 139 S. High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.
The Turner & Son Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.