John H. Wilkins, III

John H. Wilkins, III passed away peacefully in the early hours of May 11, 2025 in Muncie, Ind. 

He was a loving husband, proud and supportive father and stepfather, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, and will be dearly missed.

John is survived by his loving wife, Sigrid “Sigi” Koehler-Wilkins; sister Leslie (Richard Priest) Wilkins; his four sons Jay (Tricia) Wilkins; Jeff (Lindsey) Wilkins, Mark (Erin) Wilkins, and Mitch Wilkins and their mother Donna Wilkins; grandchildren Hallie, Quinn, Klein, Katie, Adam, Matt, Abby, Emma, and Luke; niece Jordan Priest; stepdaughter Sonja Koehler and stepson Sven (Amy) Koehler; step grandchildren Mimi and Max. 

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Harley Wilkins, II and Ruth Standard Wilkins, and uncle Dr. Harold F. Wilkins.

John was born in Anna, Ill. and grew up in Cobden and Olney, Ill., graduated from East Richland High School and Hanover College, where he studied biology. 

He earned his doctorate from Indiana University and embarked on a 35+ year career as a Professor of Anatomy. 

John taught thousands of students and future physicians at Ball State University, Indiana University, the University of Medicine and Health Sciences of St. Kitts, and at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Md. 

John also had wide-ranging entrepreneurial endeavors, some related to his passion for woodworking and crafts, others related to producing events that brought fun to others, from puppeteering to laser sport. 

His wood shop and paintbrush were sources of joy for him, and for all the recipients of his works. 

He made time to volunteer for Meals on Wheels and at Ball State’s orchid greenhouse. 

John formerly served as a deacon for his Presbyterian Church and their star softball pitcher. He was the most supportive fan of any and all the sports his sons and grandchildren played. 

John loved traveling, whether behind the wheel on epic family road trips or on deck in the North Sea or Antarctic Ocean with his voyaging partner, Sigi. 

He saw every state in the U.S. and most of Asia, Europe, and South America, and even the pyramids of Egypt. Whether John was hauling backpacks on remote trails in Alaska and Canada or kayaking in the Galapagos Islands, he photographed everything he witnessed, especially birds. 

Birding was a mainstay of his outdoorsman life, along with fishing and hunting, passions passed down from his father. 

John suffered the effects of a stroke in 2021 that restricted his active lifestyle but did not dampen his generous spirit.

John’s final gift was the donation of his body to the Indiana University School of Medicine for medical education.

A memorial celebration of the life of John H. Wilkins, III was held in June at the Fine Arts Building on the Ball State campus. 

John will be laid to rest next to his family in the Anna City Cemetery on Sunday, August 10 at 10 a.m.

To view the obituary and leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna in charge of arrangements.