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Walter Vere Wildman, 87, of Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake, went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 6:45 a.m. Sept. 4, 2015, at his residence. He was born Nov. 26, 1927, in Deedsville, to Francis Ellis and Frances Naomi Balsbaugh Wildman. On April 17, 1949, he married Betty Marie Smith, who survives in Winona Lake. He was a longtime resident of Kosciusko County, where he was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Oswego. He worked for NIPSCO for 41 years, retiring in 1989. He spent 20 of those years in their construction department as a crane operator and the last 21 years as a gas service man for the Warsaw District. He will be remembered as a hard worker, a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He will be lovingly remembered by his three sons: Ronald (and spouse Sharon) Wildman, Warsaw; Randall (and spouse Adena) Wildman, Jos, Nigeria, West Africa; Robert (and spouse Keeley) Wildman, Warsaw; five grandchildren: John (and spouse Sarah) Wildman, Indianapolis; Jane Wildman, Winona Lake; Anna Beth Wildman, Chicago, Ill.; Luke Wildman, Jos, Nigeria, West Africa; Brandon Wildman, Warsaw. He also leaves behind five brothers: Rex (and spouse Lorabel) Wildman and Dean (and spouse Betty) Wildman, all of Warsaw; Doyne (and spouse Gwen) Wildman, Liberty; Joe (and spouse Joan) Wildman Kenosha, Wis.; Bill (and spouse Nellie) Wildman DeLand, Florida; four sisters: Clarice Kilmer, Milford; Carol Lee (and spouse Loyd) Thomas, Warsaw; Geri Stookey (and spouse Lynn) Shipley and Mary (and spouse Jim) Redman, all of Leesburg. He was preceded in death by his parents. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Calvary Baptist Church of Oswego, 3065 E. Armstrong Road, Oswego, and officiated by Pastor Rick Smith. A graveside service will follow at Leesburg Cemetery. Calling will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and an hour prior to the service Thursday at the church.
Memorials in Walter’s name may be directed to Lakeland Child Evangelism Ministries Inc., P.O. Box 612, Winona Lake, IN 46590.
