Eugene Freer Wilson

Eugene Freer Wilson, 82, residing on New Road, South Bend, IN, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2008 in Tucson, AZ from complications of a stroke.

He was born on March 3, 1926 in South Bend to Phelix & Leora (Freer) Wilson and has been a lifelong resident of this community.

IN 1951 he was united in marriage to Mable Jane Barnhart of South Bend. They had four children which include three sons, Michael Wilson of Tucson, AZ, Mark Wilson of Osceola, IN, Matt Wilson of South Bend, and a daughter, Cheryl (Wilson) McAuley of Longview, WA. Eugene is also survived by eleven grandchildren, one great granddaughter, and a brother, Dan Wilson of Eureka Springs, AR. Also surviving are fourteen nieces and nephews. Eugene's wife, Jane, and a sister, Annice Wilson White of Chilicothe, IL preceded him in death.

Eugene was a 1944 graduate of James Whitcomb Riley High School, and then went on to graduate from Purdue University School of Forestry after serving two years as a Seaman First Class specializing in signaling on the patrol craft PC-1180 in the Pacific in WWII. After working as the City Forester for the City of LaPorte, Eugene was self-employed in the Wilson Fence Company which had been started by his father, and later worked part-time jobs at Bendix Woods County Park, Teacher's Credit Union, and Elton Stephens Casket Sales.

Eugene did volunteer work at Bendix Woods County Park, and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, donating his experience in maple syrup making, which had he been doing in the woods at his home in South Bend for several years.

Mr. Wilson was a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church and belonged to St. Joseph Lodge #45, F. & AM. He was an accomplished drummer, enjoyed playing piano "by ear" and was an enthusiast of the Old American West.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at Grace United Methodist Church, where members of St. Joseph Lodge #45, F. & AM will also conduct a Masonic memorial. Rev. David Schrader will officiate. Graveside services and military rites will follow at Southlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Church.

Contributions in memory of Eugene F. Wilson may be offered to Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 South Twyckenham Drive, South Bend, IN 46614, or the The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.

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