Walter Vere Wildman of Grace Village Retirement Community of Winona Lake, went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 6:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, at his residence at the age of 87.

He was a long time resident of Kosciusko County where he was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Oswego. Walter 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.

Walter was born on Nov. 26, 1927, in Deedsville, to Francis Ellis Wildman and Frances Naomi (Balsbaugh) Wildman. On April 17, 1949, he was married to Betty Marie (Smith) Wildman, who survives in Winona Lake.

He will be lovingly remembered by his three sons: Ronald (Sharon) Wildman, Warsaw; Randall (Adena) Wildman, Jos, Nigera, West Africa; Robert (Keeley) Wildman, Warsaw; five grandchildren: John (Sarah) Wildman, Indianapolis; Jane Wildman, Winona Lake; Anna Beth Wildman, Chicago; Luke Wildman, Jos, Nigeria, West Africa; and Brandon Wildman, Warsaw. He also leaves behind five brothers: Rex (Lorabel) Wildman, Warsaw; Dean (Betty) Wildman, Warsaw; Doyne (Gwen) Wildman, Liberty; Joe (Joan) Wildman, Kenosha, Wis.; Bill (Nellie) Wildman, DeLand, Fla.; four sisters: Clarice Kilmer, Milford; Carol Lee (Loyd) Thomas, Warsaw; Geri Stookey (Lynn) Shipley, Leesburg; Mary (Jim) Redman, Leesburg. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw. There will also be time for visitation an hour prior to the service at the church from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015.

His funeral service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Calvary Baptist Church of Oswego, and officiated by Pastor Rick Smith. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Leesburg Cemetery in Leesburg.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations in Walter’s name be directed to: Lakeland Child Evangelism Ministries, Winona Lake; or Calvary Baptist Church, Leesburg.