Tom Allen Wilder

Tom Allen Wilder, 62, of Benton Harbor died Monday, April 30, 2012, at the Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph. Services celebrating his life will be held at 11 AM on Friday, May 4, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor. Family will receive friends and relatives from 5 PM to 8 PM on Thursday at the Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Benton Harbor. Cremation will follow the service. Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor. Please leave memories, messages and photos at www.florin.net. Tom was born August 5, 1949 in Benton Harbor to Raymond and Ilene Wilder. He married his wife, Erika, on June 26, 1970 in Benton Harbor and together they celebrated 41 years of marriage. He retired in 2003 and was a Master Plumber and Pipefitter and was a member of Local 166. Tom graduated with the 1968 class of Benton Harbor High School and was a proud alumnus. He attended Lake Michigan College for the Plumber’s Apprenticeship Program and became a Master Plumber and Pipefitter Welder. During his employment he worked at numerous power plants. Tom was very proud of his trade and enjoyed meeting people “on the road” many of which became his friends. Tom loved spending time with his family both immediate and extended. He was especially proud of his sons and what they have accomplished. Tom also enjoyed having his grandchildren around and watching them play. He is survived by his wife, Erika; his mother, Ilene Wilder; his children, Allen (Peggy) Wilder of Sanford, FL, Brian (Julie) Wilder of Stevensville, and Nicholas (Carrie) Wilder of Benton Harbor; his brothers, Steven (Char) Wilder of Benton Harbor and Rodney (Sylvia) Wilder of St. Joseph; his sister, Karen (Michael) Kasischke of St. Joseph; his grandchildren, Austin, Andreas, Alex, Easton, and Lucas Wilder; his uncle, Francis (Martha) Wilder; his great aunts, Irene Feller and Darlene Adams; nephew, Steven; nieces. Jori, Kelley, and Jessica; and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond J. Wilder and his grandparents, Edwin and Evelyn Wilder and Florence and Max Kelley

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Tom Allen Wilder

August 5, 1949 - April 30, 2012