James E. Wilder, 90, of Decatur passed away on Monday, February 14, 2022, at his residence.

He was born in Decatur, Indiana on December 10, 1931, the 2nd of the 12 children of the late Arthur B. and Helen I. (Tricker) Wilder. On May 4, 1957, he married Imogene A. "Jean" Miller.

He was a parishioner of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church and a member of its Holy Name Society. He was a 1952 graduate of Decatur (St. Joseph) Catholic High School, where he played Varsity Basketball for 4 years. Jim proudly served his country during the Korean War in the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. Wisconsin as a Petty Officer Third Class from 1952 - 1956. He worked in Production at Central Soya from 1952 to 1995, after 42 years of service. His main love was farming their land and enjoyed it until his health made him cease in 1989. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 43 and the Adams County Senior Citizens. He was a diehard Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan and never missed a football or basketball game. He enjoyed tinkering around his property with his toys and working in his barn. Jim also cherished the 21 years with his family on Long Lake in Colon, Michigan.

He is survived by his spouse of 64 years, Imogene "Jean" Wilder of Decatur; 3 sons, Steven J. (Charlene) Wilder of Portland, IN, Duane E. (Julia) Wilder of Fort Wayne, IN, Robert A. (Pam) Wilder of Celina, OH; 3 daughters, Joyce A. (Amos) Lavy of Berne, IN, Vicki K. (Ron) Neuenschwander of Kingman, AZ, Sheri J. (Robert) Harrison of Roanoke, IN; 2 brothers, David (Deb) Wilder and Paul (Janet) Wilder; 2 sisters, Louise Hoffman and Lynnette (Larry) McChessney; 17 grandchildren and 27 great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Edward Wilder, D. Joseph Wilder, Glenn Wilder, and Arthur Wilder; 3 sisters, Charlene White, Rosalie Homan, and Jeanine Rue.

Visitation will be from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022, at Haggard-Sefton-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home, with a reciting of the Holy Rosary 2:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 19, 2022 in St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, with visitation 1 hour prior in the St. Mary's Parish Hall from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Father David Ruppert will be presiding and burial will immediately follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 43 Color Guard.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Building on Our Heritage.

To sign the guest book, visit www.hshfuneralhome.com.