Beloved Erica Dawn Wilson, 41, of Manteno, passed away unexpectedly at Carle Clinic in Champaign, from complications after surgery on January 19. Hearts are broken, with family and friends devastated by the unexpected loss.
Erica was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Bruce and Linda Wilson, on September 28, 1981. An older sister to Renee Wilson Cole, Erica spent her years growing up in Bourbonnais and was a 1999 graduate of BBCHS in Bourbonnais, where she was involved with sports and also listed in “Who’s Who Among American High School Students.” Erica attended Olivet Nazarene University and Culinary Arts School in Minnesota.
She worked for Taylor-Brown Dealership, My Sister’s Bakery, Kankakee State Park riding stables, DaVita, Shelter Insurance, and more recently at Cigna Health Insurance. Erica was a member and very involved in Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene.
Erica loved her family, friends, and dogs, and her children were the light of her life. As much as possible, she would be at every event where her children were involved. Erica was deeply loved by her family and by fiance Brandon Alsup’s family. Erica always would help anyone who needed her and put others before herself daily; she had a servant’s heart.
Erica poured such love into her cooking and baking, which her family and friends enjoyed. She loved animals, especially dogs and horses, and her dream was to have a small farm with horses. Erica was also an avid reader and loved playing cards and board games, sharing that love with her children. Erica enjoyed movies, traveling, camping and walking in the state park, and going to concerts with Brandon, Abbi, and Damian. God bestowed many gifts on her, including being a loving and amazing mom, a wonderful and supportive aunt, speaking Spanish, baking, reading, cooking, being a friend, and wanting to help others. Her legacy will carry on, reminding those who knew her that we can choose a life of meaningful acts of love and service, like Christ modeled for us.
Erica is survived and missed by her loving children, Damian and Abbigail Alsup; parents, Bruce and Linda Wilson of Bradenton, Florida; sister, Renee Wilson Cole of Bourbonnais; grandparents, Allen and Elizabeth Wilson of Bradenton; fiance and life partner of 20 years, Brandon Alsup; his mom, Barbara Alsup, and dad, Donald Alsup, of Bradley; his sister, Amy Sowa (Josh Cronch) of Kankakee; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; plus her memory will be cherished by nephews, Carson, Keegan, Brody, Deagan, Bentley, and Hurley. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Martha and Homer Paschall; uncle, Don Paschall; and nephew, Jace Sowa.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, January 29, at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene, Kankakee, and celebrated Erica’s life.
Donations may be made to the Kankakee Humane Foundation, Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene Children’s Camp Scholarship Fund, or Manteno Wildcats Football and Cheer. Please sign her guestbook at www.clancygernon.com.