IL SR1535

Illinois Senate mourns the death of Reverend Wesley Harold Wilkie, who passed away on January 25, 2020 at age 81

Rev. Wilkie earned a bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University and a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary; he was ordained in 1964 and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1971

Served as theology professor and associate professor at Concordia University Chicago (formerly Concordia Teachers College) from the late 1960s until retiring from full-time teaching in 2003; also served as acting president and dean at Concordia College Selma in Alabama and as visiting instructor at Oak Hill Theological College in London

Specialized in church history and world religions, led student trips internationally to Jordan, Israel, Hong Kong, China, and England; was a member of the North American Academy of Ecumenists

Survived by his wife Dorothy, two daughters Diana and Lauren, four stepchildren, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren