Romayne "Wick" Wicklund

Romayne Clare “Wick” Wicklund, born September 7, 1929 in Rockford, IL, the son of Dorothy Irene Rowley and Roy Wicklund. He passed on Sunday, May 7th 2:35pm at Arbor Rose, Tolono, IL.

He graduated East High School, attended the University of Illinois through Navy ROTC, earning a Bachelor’s in Journalism and later attended the U of I Law School, earning his law degree. After completing Officer Training, he served as a journalist in the Persian Gulf and traveled extensively.  Eventually, he retired as a Commander in Naval Intelligence within the Naval Reserves.

While stationed in New Orleans, he married Lila Jean Jones and began raising his children. After attending law school, Wick chose to work at the UI Extension Office instead of practicing law. In 1966 he was hired as Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees. He served the University of Illinois for 37 years before retiring as Associate Secretary.

In 1987, he married Linda Little Plotner, they enjoyed many adventures together from trips and cruises,  gardening and the search for many eclectic items for their home.  Linda and Wick enjoyed almost 36 years of marriage together. The guardianship of their grandson Cody Plotner, gave them years of unexpected joy. With their nurturing he lived years beyond expectations until his loss at 12 years old in 2008.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, his children: Deni Wicklund (Palo Alto, CA), Julie McMahon (Champaign, IL), Eric Wicklund (Austin, TX), 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his stepchildren Brian Plotner (Fairmount, IL), Christopher Plotner (Tolono, IL) and Susan Ward (Tolono, IL), their spouses and 9 grandchildren and preceded in death by his son, Jim Wicklund and his grandson, Cody Plotner. 

The funeral arrangements are being handled by Freese Funeral Home: Services will be held at Countryside United Methodist Church, Urbana, IL.  Visitation 10am-12pm and Funeral at noon on Monday May 15, 2023. Burial following at Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo, IL.  Please join the family for a luncheon following the cemetery at Countryside United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be made at freesefh.com

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