Matt Andrew Wilmot, 70, of Rio, IL, passed away on Friday, June 19, 2026, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.
Matt was born on May 20, 1956, the son of Dale Wilmot and Ramona (Haitt) Wilmot-Tessier, in Galesburg, IL. He was a graduate of Abingdon High School and received an associates degree from Carl Sandburg College. He was a Private First Class (PFC) in the United States Army, serving during the tail end of Vietnam, and a proud member of the 82nd Air Borne. Matt was married to Dorothy (Johnson) Wilmot, and the couple shared 50 years together. He worked as a retail manager for Ben Franklin stores, retiring in 2009.
Matt was an active outdoorsman; enjoying riding his Harley, fishing, camping, hunting/ target shooting, and boating; he was even still water skiing from time to time. He was a very loving and involved grandfather and took great pride in teaching his grandchildren all he knew about the outdoors. He built racetracks for go carts and dirt bikes and taught all the kids how to ride.
Matt was preceded in death by his father, Dale Wilmot; step-father, Dean Tessier; brother, Mark Wilmot; and step-brothers, Aaron Tessier and Keith Tessier.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Dorothy, of Rio, IL; mother, Ramona Wilmot-Tessier, of Galesburg, IL; daughters, Toni Freeman, of Galesburg, IL, and Jayne Wilmot, of Sharon, WI; brother, Michael Wilmot, of Sandwich, IL; sister, Marcie Rud, of Galesburg; step-brother, Max Tessier, of Galesburg; step-sister, Shelly (Donnie) Ryner, of St. Louis, MO; and his cherished grandchildren, Brighton Freeman, of Galesburg, IL, Kole Wilmot, of Macomb, IL, Kaden Wilmot, of Sharon, WI, Keegan Wilmot, of Sharon, WI, Marlene Bloomingdale, and Joshua Bloomingdale, both of Havelock, NC. Matt is also survived by one expected great-grandchild on the way, Nova Ronnie Smith.
Cremation rites will be accorded. A celebration of life will be planned for a later date by the family. Contributions to Matt’s memory can be made to Dorothy Wilmot to help offset medical and funeral costs. Watson-Thomas Funeral Home is assisting the family with these arrangements.
