Leslie Nolan “Les” Wilhelm, age 80, of Casey, IL entered eternal rest at 12:57 a.m. on Monday, September 9, 2024 at Regional Hospital, Terre Haute, IN. He was born July 17, 1944 in St. Louis, MO, the son of Thurman Shelby (Arthur) Wilhelm and Ella Loraine (Lorene) Madison Wilhelm. On July 15, 1995 he married Susan Eileen Sherwood in Pana, IL at the Nazarene parsonage.

Survivors include his devoted wife, Susan Wilhelm of Casey, IL; children, Bryan Richard Wilhelm and wife Beth of Waxhaw, NC, Leanna Dawn Cohl and husband Peter of Buffalo, NY, and Robert Michael Wilhelm and wife Erin of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Cameron Cohl, Haileigh Wilhelm, Nathaniel Wilhelm, Simon Cohl, Andrew Wilhelm, Samuel Wilhelm, Aubry Wilhelm, Brayden Wilhelm, and Chloe Cohl; and sister, Donna Louise Angerbrandt of Dothan, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Marshall Leon Wilhelm and wife Pam, and brother-in-law, Neil Angerbrandt.

Les was a 1963 graduate of DeSoto High School in DeSoto, MO. He attended Bethany Nazarene College and was a 1979 graduate of the Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, CO receiving an associate degree in Biblical Studies.

Les has devoted his life to ministry. In 1982 ordained elder in Springfield, IL; church planter from 1979-1981 in Reedsport, OR; 1981-1983 in Tilton, IL; 1983-1984 in West Frankfort, IL, 1984-1988 Broseley, MO and 1991-1992 in Carbondale, IL.  Les was a faithful member of Casey First Church of the Nazarene in Casey, IL since 1995 serving as a member of the church board, missionary council and leader in Sunday school, music and Celebrate Recovery.

Funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Casey First Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Brian Hancock officiating. Burial will follow in Greenup Cemetery, Greenup, IL with graveside military rites by Casey VFW and Martinsville American Legion. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service on Saturday at Casey First Church of the Nazarene,1000 US HWY 40, Casey, IL 62420.

Memorial donations may be made to the family c/o Markwell Funeral Home, PO Box 175, Casey, IL 62420.

To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle, or post photos please visit www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Markwell Funeral Home, Casey, IL is in charge of the arrangements.