David G. Wilder

May 30, 1933 - November 4, 2019

David Glenn Wilder, 86, of Monroe, MI, formerly of Petersburg, MI, went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 4, 2019. Dave was born on May 30, 1933 in Battle Creek, MI to Leon and Doris (Keagle) Wilder. His father passed while he was young and his mother remarried Cloys Braden. Dave attended Denby High School in Detroit, MI (class of ’51). On September 12, 1953 he married Jacqueline Zimmer and together they had four children: David (Denise) Wilder II, of Stafford, VA, Cheryl (Mark) Braunlich, of Monroe, MI, Craig (Nancy) Wilder of Petersburg, MI and Lori (Steve) Freers of Murrieta, CA. Dave was a graduate of Michigan State University in Journalism/Communications. He spent many years working in advertising at the Detroit Free Press newspaper, WOHO radio in Toledo, OH, and WVMO radio in Monroe, MI where he honed his gift of playful banter. In 1979 he changed professions and began the well drilling business of Shidler & Wilder Wells and Pumps in Petersburg, MI. During his lifetime, Dave was a member of Delta Chi fraternity, Bay View Yacht Club, and The Moose Club. Dave and Jackie retired to Summerfield, FL in 2001and enjoyed many years of traveling throughout the country in their motor home. They made a point of taking every grandchild on a National Park tour through the Southwest. Dave’s greatest joys were having the whole family spend time together. He especially loved watching his grandchildren’s sports and activities. Dave is preceded in death by his loving wife, Jackie Wilder. He is survived by ten grandchildren: Eric Wilder, Heather Wilder Doutov, Brittany Braunlich Blaszczyk, Kristina Braunlich Maditz, Scott Wilder, Monica Wilder Moniz, Thomas Wilder, Allison Freers Pavlisin, Jason Wilder, and Ryan Freers. His six great-grandchildren include Liam Blaszczyk, Aiden Maditz, Colton Wilder, Madelyn Moniz, Bexley Wilder, and Elias Maditz. Services will be held at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 South Telegraph, Monroe, MI 48161 on Saturday, December 7. Fr Bob Schramm, OSFS, will officiate. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 and a memorial service will follow at 2:00. If desired, in lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial contributions to the IHM, 610 W. Elm St., Monroe MI 48162 or Monroe Center for Healthy Aging, 15275 S. Dixie Hwy., Monroe, MI 48161.