Dick Wilson

Richard E. “Dick” Wilson, 77, Pierceton, passed away in his home Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.

Dick was born in Warsaw on Oct. 23, 1946, to Merl Monroe and Elvinia Ruth (Cotton) Wilson. He attended Larwill High School and was the manager of the basketball team. He graduated with the Class of 1965.

A hardworking farmer all his life, he taught his family a strong work ethic and that living on a farm you just had to learn to take care of problems on your own. He grew crops and raised animals, often making connections with his animals, and farmed with International Harvester machinery. But most of that was because of Dick’s soft, loving and caring nature. He loved all animals and was fond of his pigs the most. Dick also worked for Hartman & Sons in Pierceton as a field superintendent for many years until his retirement.

Dick was a simple man, would do anything for anyone and always treated others the way he wanted to be treated. He was easy to talk to and optimistic. Dick loved his family and was great with children. He was very proud of all his children and grandchildren, and he would talk about them often to complete strangers. He was also always very supportive in sports and activities.

Dick was a fan of the New York Yankees, Indianapolis Colts and IU basketball. His favorite television show was “The Honeymooners.” He would often be found in his huge vegetable garden or selling his produce at the local farmer’s market. He was known to sell his produce at a very favorable price or give it away to those he knew. In his younger years, he was part of the Jaycee’s in Pierceton and played catcher for the Collier’s Gas Station softball team.

Dick is dearly missed by his children: Becky (Ed) VanOsdol, of Charleston, S.C., Samantha (Archie) Newsome, of Mentone, and Rick (Autumn) Wilson, of Indianapolis; stepson, Jacob Shock, of Warsaw; Lacey (Michael) Rodgers, of North Manchester; Raven Wilson, of Redkey, Ind.; and Gannon Wilson, of Columbia City; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; his brother, Merl (Karen) Wilson, of North Manchester; many nieces and nephews; and ex-wife, Virginia Wilson, of Warsaw.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Brandon VanOsdol; partner, Susan Hyde; brothers, Lewie and Lawrence “Pete”; and infant sister, Nancy Wilson.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 105 S. First St., Pierceton.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, in the funeral home.

Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Claypool.

Memorial contributions can be made to Whitko High School FFA Fund c/o Whitko Jr.-Sr. High School, 1 Big Blue Ave., South Whitley, IN 46787.

To sign the guestbook or send a condolence to the family, please visit mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.