October 27, 2020
Phillip Eugene Wilkey age 61 of Smithville, passed away in Smithville on Saturday October, 24, 2020. He was born March 28, 1959 to his parents Carolyn Elmore Wilkey and the late Eugene Wilkey. In addition to his father he was preceded in death by his wife, Clara May Wilkey; 2 sisters, Penny Hale and Reba Jean Wilkey; sister-in-law, Cynthia Hale; brothers-in-law, Joe Harrison, and Daniel “Duck” Anderson. Mr. Wilkey was a Baptist, a lifetime member of the DeKalb County Rescue Squad, and worked for the City of Smithville for 35 years. He is survived by 2 daughters, April Wilkey of Smithville and Candeda Snead of Indiana; 2 sons, R. J. Wilkey of Texas and J. P. Wilkey of Colorado; mother, Carolyn Wilkey of Smithville; brother, Roy Wilkey of McMinnville; sisters, Connie (David) Brownfield of Ohio, Ginger (David) Smith, Candy Hale, and Ellen (Charlie) Hale all of Smithville; brothers-in-law, Leroy Hale, Tom “Red” Hale, John Hale, Steve (Linda) Hale all of Smithville; sisters-in-law, Pauline Crook and Betty (Peewee) Pack both of Smithville; 2 granddaughters; 1 grandson; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 1:PM Thursday October 29, 2020 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Richard Edwards officiating and burial to follow in the Peeled Chestnut Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 4:PM until 7:PM and on Thursday 9:AM until 11:AM, there will be no visitation between 11 to 12 due to the family being in the chapel for his sister’s funeral, then visitation will be 12 noon until the time of the service at 1:PM. Due to COVID-19 and Social Distancing guidelines, our pews in the chapel are marked off to respect these guidelines and allow 100-125 people for the service. We ask for the health and safety of everyone that you please exercise social distancing. Our lounge is currently closed and NO Food or Drinks are allowed in the funeral home at this time. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
*NOTE: The Smithville City Hall will close Thursday at 12:30 p.m. out of respect for Mr. Wilkey and to allow city employees to attend the memorial service. City Hall will reopen after the funeral service.
“Mr. Wilkey was a faithful employee for over 30 years. He was someone that you could count on. He will be missed by all of us at the city,” said Mayor Josh Miller.