Ellis Dean Wildman, 94 years of age, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at Cedar Creek of Warsaw where he has been a resident since December 2022.
Ellis was born on Jan. 16, 1930, in Miami County, to Ellis Francis Wildman and Frances Noami Balsbaugh Wildman. His family moved to the rural area of Oswego and he graduated from Leesburg High School in 1949. During a couple of years of high school and one year after, Ellis worked for the Arnolt Corporation in Warsaw.
Ellis proudly served his country by enlisting in the Armed Forces of the United States from October 1950 to September 1953 and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War.
On Nov. 7, 1958, Ellis was united in marriage to Betty Lou Heckaman in Warsaw. Their marriage lasted almost 58 years prior to her passing in 2017.
Ellis, along with Arden Cook, created Cook and Wildman Drywall, which lasted a lifetime.
Surviving are two sons and one daughter: Rick (Cindy) Heckaman, of Winona Lake; Mark Wildman, of Warsaw; and Renee (Lee) McAfee, of Plymouth; grandchildren: Jodi Gast (fiancé Heath Gaerte), Joshua (Andrea) Heckaman, Jason (Sara) Heckaman, Cherish Heckaman, all of Warsaw; Jeremiah Heckaman, of Nashville, Tenn.; Jennifer McAfee, of Plymouth; and Mallory McAfee, of Nappanee; along with many great-grandchildren.
Also surviving Ellis are four sisters: Clarice Kilmer, of Milford; Geraldine (Lynn) Stookey Shipley, of Leesburg; Mary (Jim) Redman, of Leesburg; Carol Lee Thomas, of Saint Mary, Fla.; and one brother, Bill (Nellie) Wildman, of DeLand, Fla.
Ellis was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty; son, Steve (Susan) Heckaman; and four brothers: Rex Wildman, Walter Wildman, Doyne Wildman and Joe Wildman.
Titus Funeral Home and Cremation Services is entrusted with Ellis’s care. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home, 2000 Sheridan St., Warsaw, on Monday, Feb. 19 from 4 until 6 p.m. with military honors at 5:45 p.m.
To leave a condolence, please visit www.TitusFuneralHome.com.