Gary K. Wilder Obituary (1942 - 2015)

BLOOMINGTON Gary K. Wilder, 73, of Bloomington, died at 3:40pm on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, in North Carolina after a recent illness.He was born in Roanoke, IL, on June 5, 1942, to the late Lon and Myrtle Wilder. He married Toni Jo Mazur on October 7, 1967, in Momence, IL.Surviving are his wife Toni; four children, Brent (Linda) Wilder of Bloomington, Steve (Michelle) Wilder of Knoxville, IL, Jennifer (John) Bond of Marietta, GA, and Ryan Wilder of Smyrna, GA. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, Corey, Andy, Alexandra, Tommy, and Megan Wilder, Sam, Maren, Maggie, and Sean Wilder, Mackenzie, Mallory, and Brody Bond, brother Gerald Whitey (Judy) Wilder, Washington, IL, and brother-in-law, Chuck Mazur, San Antonio, TX. He was preceded in death by five sisters and two brothers.Gary graduated from Morton High School and Eureka College and later earned a masters degree from Southern Illinois University. He was an NAIA All American Quarterback. He became a high school teacher and coach, executive director of rehabilitation workshops, and ultimately launched and owned a packaging and consumer products company for 30 years.Over the years, he and Toni supported many organizations. They helped countless people in times of need. He coached and they sponsored many youth baseball, football, and softball teams. They touched a lot of lives. The family sincerely appreciates the outpouring of supportive phone calls, cards, and communication from all the people who were positively affected by them.He loved his family and enjoyed spending quality time with them, whether cooking out, cheering on kids and grandkids at sporting events, or getting carry out dinner and watching his beloved Chicago Cubs or Florida State football teams. His grandchildren were the light of his life. He loved his children and inspired them to keep God at the center of their lives and taught them a strong work ethic.He was a die hard Cubs fan, in spite of his brothers, and has a personalized brick at Wrigley Field. He will enjoy a front row seat when they win the World Series.There will be no visitation and a private memorial service and celebration of life will be at a later date. Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.