Robert Earl Wilder

WILDER, Robert Earl, 70, BEARDSTOWN, IL, March 15, 2011. Arrangements are in the care of Airsman-Hires Funeral Home, Beardstown.

BEARDSTOWN, IL – Robert Earl Wilder, 70, died Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at his home. He was born March 11, 1941, in Washburn, the son of Orin Frederick and Verna Mae Adams Wilder. He married Nancy J. Martin on May 9, 1962, in Pittsfield.

Robert graduated from NMVTI in Presque Isle, as an Electrical Construction Technician. He joined the US Army and served in Thule, Greenland working at a Nike Missile Site. He worked at Oscar Mayer in Beardstown as an electrician, and later Excel as a Maintenance Supervisor. Robert later was a long-haul truck driver. He was of the Baptist Faith and a member of Beardstown BPOE Elks Lodge #1007 and Guthrie Pierce VFW Post #1239 in Beardstown. He loved to watch Nascar and play golf. Robert adored his family, friends, and his little Yorkie Lily, and will be missed by them.

Surviving are his wife, Nancy Wilder of Beardstown; one son, Robert Earl Wilder Jr. (wife, Jennifer) of Mapleton; one daughter, Zina Rene Welsh (husband Robert) of Jacksonville; four grandchildren: Rachael Rene Lamb, Lindsay Nicole Mullen of Jacksonville, Zachary Robert and Matthew David Wilder of Mapleton; two brothers: Wesley Wilder of Fla., and Donald Wilder of Ga; and two sisters: Phyllis Farley of Florida, and Beverly Langley of California.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services were held 2:30 p.m., Sat., March 19, 2011, at Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown. Burial was in the Beardstown City Cemetery. The family met with friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials have been suggested to the family. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com