Submitted by: Dan Rich
March 3, 1926 - March 20, 2008
South Bend Tribune 3/30/2008
SOUTH BEND - 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 and Leora (Freer)
Wilson, and had 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 11 grandchildren and
one great-granddaughter; and a brother, Dan Wilson of Eureka
Springs, AR. Also surviving are 14 nieces and nephews. Eugene's
wife, Jane, and a sister, Annice Wilson White of
Chillicothe, 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
he had 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, in 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 services at
church. Contributions in memory of Eugene F. Wilson may be made
to Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 South Twyckenham Drive,
South Bend, IN 46614; or to The Center for Hospice &
Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN
46637.