MEET OUR TEAM

OWNERS 

Who’d have known, two young kids living on separate farms, miles from each other would grow up, meet, marry and become partners, not only in life but in business. With George running the store and Betty keeping the books, this couple started an adventure that would define the rest of their lives. They knew they wanted to sell quality jewelry and provide the best services than anyone in the area. They did, and it continues to this day.

Upon George’s retirement, his family and employees celebrated with an Open House Retirement party in the jewelry store. On January 5, 2013, many longtime friends and customers came to visit and share stories. He was touched by the abundance of people who passed through to wish him well. Even though George has retired, rest assured his fine business will continue by way of his wife, employees and his children.

On February 2, 2013 the mayor and other city officials presented George with a Plaque of Proclamation to the City of Sullivan. Mayor Tom Leasor chose to honor George in his successful business journey, that being, participating in community events, being trustworthy and consistent, and having integrity. Great pride was shown that day – by Sullivan, family, friends, employees and especially George.

After many years of struggle battling Dementia and Alzheimer’s, George passed away comfortably on August 4, 2014 with many loving family members around him. He led a full and eventful life and will be missed by many who knew and loved him. Betty has also passed away on Nov 11, 2020. Betty and George have been immortalized and remembered in the jewelry store, by a hanging canvas portrait, provided by their granddaughter, Heidi. There was no way the business could carry on without Betty and Georges face and spirit in the store. 

 

BOB CAROLLO

WATCHMAKER (SEMI- RETIRED)

From an early age, George taught Bob everything he needed to know about repairing watches. He has worked with us full time for 50 years. As of 2017, Bob has become semi-retired. However, he still does his same watch/clock duties, just on his own time. Although he may not be in the store every day, he continues to come in and works on the watches and clocks that come in. His training consists of Bulova, Accutron and Quartz certifications and the American Watchmakers Institute. His many years working here shows his dedication and loyalty to his customers and his employer. It also shows how well Bob does his job when people refer to him as the “Clock Doctor”. He works on antique, modern, wall, mantle, Grandfather clocks and all kinds of watches.

 

MARLYS WILCOX

GENERAL MANAGER, SALESWOMAN & ENGRAVER

Two years after the birth of her first child, George had offered Marlys a job to work as a clerk. From there, she continued to grow and learn from her co-workers to become a saleswoman and today she is the best saleswoman in the entire store! Having her diamond certificate from GIA, it gives her more knowledge of diamonds and the tools to help any customer with any jewelry needs. She is fine tuned in the art and craft of machine engraving, restringing, written and verbal appraisals, vintage appraisals, and much more!

 

HEIDI WILCOX-AHMED

CO-MANAGER & SALESWOMAN

Heidi is the oldest grandchild of George and Betty and has been working for them since 1996. Following her mother, Marlys` footsteps, she learns day by day how to prefect her skills in becoming another bestselling saleswoman. Going to college showed Heidi the business side of the store. Every day she does her best to bring her Grandparents` store further into the future. Heidi received her Bachelors of Science in Business Management in 2005 which enables her to help take care of the business. Heidi has also received her diamond certificate from GIA in March of 2010 giving her further knowledge of diamonds, and receiving her Colored Gemstone Certificate from GIA in January 2013.

 

DENISE FELDKAMP

OFF-SITE JEWELER

For the past ten years, we have been most fortunate to have on our staff, Denise Feldkamp, our off-site bench jeweler. Denise is a hard worker, dedicated to performing exceptional bench work for our customers at a nice turnaround time. She has her own shop and the jeweler’s amenities needed to do her best work. Most importantly, we trust Denise with every piece we send her.

 

MADDIE WILCOX

SALES
 Maddie Wilcox is the youngest grandchild and third generation of George and Betty Wilcox. Since Maddie was born, she considered the store her second home. Some of her earliest memories include observing her family at work, while coloring and reading after school. As a young girl, Maddie would take pride in helping with store chores, whether it be cleaning the glass or sweeping the floors. Maddie is a 2015 graduate of Sullivan High School. She finished her first two years of college with East Central College and is now working towards her Bachelor degree with Missouri Baptist University, in Union, MO. She began her work with Wilcox Jewelers in November of 2017, in timely fashion for the Christmas season, and has loved it since. Maddie feels great pride to be a part of what her family has built, that being, an independent business that has remained strong for 70 years.


 

PATTI BRAGG

BENCH JEWELER
 Patti Bragg is a woman of many talents. She’s had an assortment of careers, such as, the Aquatics Director at Gilberg Farms, Multi Media sales woman for the Missourian newspaper, where she was the advertising sales rep for Wilcox Jewelers, and worked closely with Marlys.  Patti was also a floral designer and outside sales woman at Hillermann’s Nursery and Florist. She owned and operated 142 Bragg Station Arts and Antiques, where she proudly sold Vintage Marlys, a jewelry line featuring rare Vintage jewelry from Wilcox Jewelers.  After closing her shop she came to work with us in 2016, starting as a sales associate, and has worked her way to being a bench jeweler. She enrolled in a course at East Central College for welding, which helps her in her bench work practices. In December of 2017, Patti became a certified bench jeweler from the American School of Jewelry in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Patti is continuing her education to become a Master Jeweler. She specializes in ring sizing, re-tipping, setting stones, soldering along with many other repair requests.
 
 

JUANITA SCHULER

BENCH JEWELER
Juanita, the wife of our watchmaker, Bob Carollo, graduated in 1981 from Missouri State University with a B.S.Ed. in Art. In 1993, she graduated with her masters from Webster University with her MAT in visual communications. She was the Art instructor at Sullivan High School for 31 years and now works as the Art Appreciation instructor for East Central College. From an early age, Juanita has always had an interest in the jewelry aspect of the art world. She came to Wilcox Jewelers starting in sales, and upgraded herself to a bench jeweler. In July of 2017, she received her certification in jewelry repair and diamond setting from the Drouhard National Jewelers’ School in Mansfield, OH. Juanita returned to Ohio in October of 2017 to get her certification in advanced diamond setting.  Juanita’s goal is to bring her knowledge and love of art to the bench.

 

JANE LAUSE

SALES 

Jane is the newest on the team, but she has proven herself to be a great and knowledgeable sales associate! We asked her to join us while Heidi was on maternity leave and she’s continued to stay with us! She enjoys her job and wants to make sure you leave with the item you love!