Sonya Anne Wilcox

Sonya Anne Wilcox, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025, in Bay City, Michigan, at the age of 83. Born on December 22, 1941, in Saginaw, to the late Leo and Rhea (Metiva) Freeman, Sonya was a lifelong member of the community and left a lasting impact on everyone she met.

A graduate of St. Joseph Catholic High School, Sonya embraced life with warmth and positivity. She was known for her joyful spirit as well as her love for fun and games, often enjoying bowling when able and participating in card games and BINGO. Among her greatest joys was the time spent with her grandchildren, who were truly her world.

Sonya married her husband, Charles Wilcox, on April 5, 1991, and together they shared a life filled with love and laughter. Also surviving are her children: Lisa (Kenneth) Kaufman, Kimberly (Jeff) Hollingsworth, Jim (Holly) Santino, Stephanie (Demairrow) Davis, Charles Wilcox Jr., and Melody Hapner. Sonya’s legacy continues through her grandchildren: Justin Kaufman, Nicholas Kaufman, Samantha Hollingsworth, Julia Harris, Christopher Santino, Karissa Fiting, Randy Santino, Susie Santino, Joshua Santino, Johnathan Santino, Damontae Davis, Demarion Davis, Dayshaun Davis, Dashaylynn Davis, Khalisee Davis, and Dashawny Davis, along with her great-grandchildren: Madilynn Harris, Wesley Harris, Avery Webb, Sophie Webb, Kallie Fiting, Asher Fiting, Randy Santino Jr., Layla Santino, Myles Santino, Layla Davis, Winter Davis, Storm Davis, Cooper Hapner, and Beckett Hapner. Sonya is also survived by her siblings: Patrick (Kate) Freeman, Thomas (Kelly) Freeman, John (Terri) Freeman, Yvonne Boensch, Pamela Chmielewski, Helen Welsh, Karen Rahn, and Mary (Gary) Krummen, along with her sisters-in-laws Christine (Tom) Wohlford, Carolyn (Jim) Gruesbeck, and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter Marisa Santino, grandson Michael Albrecht, her siblings Robert Freeman, Dale Freeman, Gerald Freeman, and Joseph Freeman, as well as her brothers-in-law: Patrick Wilcox, Joe Chmielewski, Tom Welsh, Al Rahn, and Bob Boensch.

A funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at the W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 4480 Mackinaw Rd.   Rev. Paul Schaewe will officiate with entombment to follow at St. Andrew Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral chapel on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Please share your words of condolences with the family at www.casefuneralhome.com