Mrs. Deanna Rosalie (Williamson) Calkins

Mrs. Deanna Rosalie (Williamson) Calkins, 86, of Wataga, Illinois, left this earth peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Deanna was born on April 2, 1939, in Galesburg, daughter of Harold K. and Anne E. (Larson) Williamson. Deanna married the love of her life, Eli “Sonny” Wesley Calkins, on June 23, 1957, at the Wataga Congregational Church. She leaves behind her beloved husband, Eli “Sonny”, whom she shared 67 years of love and laughter, including the births of their three loving children.

Surviving is her daughter, Jeanne (Dean) Blust of Monmouth, and her son, Tim (Vicki) Calkins of Wataga, and a daughter in law, Alice (the late Russell) Calkins of Oquawka; sisters Karenlee Pickrel and Marilyn Williamson of Galesburg. She was also a loving grandmother leaving behind seven grandchildren: Ashley (Dan) Bushong, Tina (the late Jeremy) Blust, Tammy (Jon) Nelson, Ryan (Allie) Calkins, Tara (Charlie) Mahoney, Jacob Calkins, and Christopher Calkins; as well as sixteen great grandchildren, Molly and Maggie Blust, Eli, Everett and Stewart Bushong, Briar and Baylor Nelson, Xander and Tate Calkins, Brinlee and Colt Bramlett, and Connor Wilson, Autumn and Wesley Calkins, and Russell and Layton Calkins. She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Russell Wesley Calkins, and a grandson, Jeremy Dean Blust.

Deanna was a 1956 graduate of Galesburg Sr. High School. She retired from Tupper Title Co. First American Title Ins. Co., where she worked for more than 20 years as a title abstractor and a stenographer. Deanna most recently was a member of the New Life Fellowship Church in Wataga, where she served as the organist. Prior to joining the church, she was a long-standing member of the Wataga Congregational Church, where she had been playing the organ since the early age of 16. She dedicated her musical talents to the service of her lord and savior by sharing her talents with various different churches over the years. She also blessed her grandchildren with her musical talents by playing the organ at their weddings.

Deanna enjoyed playing the piano, organ, and accordion throughout her lifetime. She also wrote a song many years ago, titled “Salvation Is”. Family was everything to Deanna, as she enjoyed having everyone together, whether it be in celebration of a holiday, birthday, or even just a weekend cookout at their home.

Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services, Galesburg Chapel. A graveside service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Wataga Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), The Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma Research or the Wataga School Supply Drive, which Deanna founded and is still going strong today. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.

Services
Visitation
Tuesday
June 3, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Hinchliff - Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel
1070 W. Fremont St.
Galesburg, il 61401

Graveside Service
Tuesday
June 3, 2025
12:30 PM
Wataga Cemetery
Johnson St.
Wataga, IL 61488

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