Wilma Bauer, 89, of Urbana, Illinois, formerly of Smithboro, passed away on October 4, 2026, at Amber Glen in Urbana.
Wilma (Peddicord) was born on May 14, 1937, in Vandalia, Illinois, to Cecil and Mildred Peddicord. She grew up in the Hookdale and Smithboro area, where she helped keep the family home and lived with her younger sister Janice and, years later, her baby brother Layton. She attended Union School and Mulberry Grove High School.
Wilma had known George Bauer Jr. for most of her life, and they were married on November 11, 1956. She worked as a telephone operator before becoming a full-time mother to Diane and Mike. She and George farmed together for decades, and Wilma worked as hard as any man on the farm. She also kept a large garden, a beautiful yard, and a welcoming home on the family homestead. Later she worked at the nursery in Mulberry Grove and at Bass-Mollett Publishers in Greenville. Careful with money and excellent farmers, she and George built a successful farm. In retirement they enjoyed traveling and eating out, and they were proud to see their children graduate from the University of Illinois. They were also blessed with good friends and neighbors.
Wilma loved her family, softball and baseball games and time with her grandchildren. She and George often traveled to Bloomington to visit her grandchildren, Will and Anna. She devoted herself to her parents in their later years, visiting her mother nearly every day after her father's passing.
She is survived by her daughter, Diane (Ed) Wilhite of Champaign; her son, Mike (Jackie) Bauer of Bloomington; her grandchildren, Will Bauer of Chicago and Anna Bauer of Mexico; her brother, Layton Peddicord of Greenville.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, George Bauer Jr., on October 13, 2021; her parents, Cecil and Mildred Peddicord; her sister, Janice Fisher.
Private burial will be at Maxey Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Maxey Cemetery (1860 Trapper Ave, Mulberry Grove, IL) or St. Jude. Donnell–Wiegand Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.