John H. Wilkins, III passed away peacefully in the early hours of May 11, 2025 in Muncie, Indiana. He was a loving husband, proud and supportive father and step-father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, and will be dearly missed.

John is survived by his loving wife, Sigrid “Sigi” Koehler-Wilkins; sister Leslie (Rich) 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; stepdaughter Sonja Koehler and stepson Sven (Amy) Koehler; step grandchildren Mimi and Max. John was preceded by his parents, John Harley Wilkins, II and Ruth Wilkins, and uncle Harold Wilkins.

John grew up in Anna, Illinois and graduated from Olney High School and Hanover College, where he studied biology. He earned his doctorate from Indiana University and embarked on a 30+ year career as an Associate 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.

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 was once a deacon for his Presbyterian Church and their star softball pitcher. He was the most supportive fan of any and all the sports his boys or grandchildren played.

John loved travelling, 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 US 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 hunting and fishing, passions passed down from his dad.

John suffered the effects of a massive stroke in 2021. This restricted his active lifestyle but did not dampen his generous spirit. He was cared for at home and at Morrison Woods Health Center until his peaceful passing in the company of his family. John's final gift was the donation of his body to the IU School of Medicine for medical education.

There will be a public memorial celebration in the Recital Hall of the Fine Arts Building on the Ball State campus on Saturday, June 14th at 11:00 a.m. John will be laid to rest next to his family in Anna later this summer.

The Star Press, Muncie, IN