Benjamin Jackson "B.J." Wilkinson, 83, passed away Wednesday, January 6, 1999, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Ben, the son of Jackson and Mrytle (Parr) Wilkinson, was born September 14, 1915, in LuVerne, Iowa.  As a young boy, Ben moved with his family to Missouri, where he was educated in country school.  As a young man, Ben worked for the CCC Camp in Arkansas.  He later moved to the Kanawha/Renwick area.  He was united in marriage with Pearl Veldhouse on March 9, 1940 in the Algona Methodist Church Parsonage.  The couple farmed in the Kanawha/Renwick area until retirement in 1981, at which time they moved into Kanawha. Ben was a member of the United Methodist Church, where he served as a trustee, and the United Methodist Men.  He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.  Ben also enjoyed bowling and pitching horseshoes. Ben is survived by his wife, Pearl of Kanawha; son Jon Wilkinson and his wife, Judy of Kanawha; daughter Jayne Schnell and her husband, Darrel of Kanawha; four grandchildren: Todd, Tammy, Sheri, and Troy; five great-grandchildren: Jacob, Brookelyn, Hannah, Drew, and Elizabeth; three step-grandchildren: Duane, DeAnna, Jenny; two step great-grandsons: Joshua and Joel; sister Cecil Larson of Kanawha; sisters-in-law: Pearl Parr of Des Moines, Iowa and Wilma Wilkinson of Ocean Side, California; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, one brother, two half sisters and two half brothers.