James
James Kirk Wilde
James Kirk Wilde, 84, of Parkesburg, passed away on Wednesday, November 27,
2013, at Honey Brook, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was the husband
of Betty Stackhouse Wilde and they recently celebrated 61 years of marriage.
Born in Coatesville he was the son of the late James W. and Ruth Kirk Wilde.
He was a graduate of the former Parkesburg High School, Class of 1947, where
he served as class president. He was a graduate of the first two year class
of Eckels College of Mortuary Science in 1949, earned the Dean’s Award and
was a member of Eckels Fraternity Lambda Zeta Nu.
He proudly served as corporal in the US Army during the Korean War, working
as a Medical Aidman Instructor, the Quartermaster Corp, and in the Field
Operations service of the 8204th American Grave Registration Service.
He returned to Parkesburg and joined his family funeral home business as the
fourth generation and was still active alongside his son, brother and
nephews.
In 1986 he was honored in Florida by the National Funeral Director
Association and the United States Government for service in the Korean War
Casualties
He was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Parkesburg where
he served as Elder, Trustee, Deacon, youth director and choir member for many
years. He holds membership in the Chapel of the Four Chaplains of
Philadelphia.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4480 of Parkesburg.
He belonged to the former American Legion Post 431 of Parkesburg serving as
Adjutant, Chaplain and Judge Advocate. He was a life member of Legion Post
422 of Honey Brook. In 2001 he received the Military Order of the Purple
Heart.
He was a 50 year member of the former Keystone Lodge #569 F & AM of
Parkesburg and a current member of Brandywine Goddard Lodge #383 of
Coatesville.
He was a life member of the Parkesburg Fire Company and was an ambulance
driver for over 23 years and has received numerous civic awards.
Despite all his achievements and awards those closest to him will cherish his
role as a family man, his devotion to God, and his charity toward his
community. One of his last contributions was the “Welcome to Parkesburg”
sign in the heart of town. He is now welcomed in his heavenly home and
resides on our hearts.
In addition to his wife he is survived by a daughter, Sharon L., wife of
Miles K. Reinhart of Cochranville, James N., husband of Amy Chaballa Wilde of
Parkesburg, grandchildren, Gretchen, wife of Joe Torres of Macungie, Matthew
Reinhart of Cochranville, Lindsay, Joey and Abby Wilde of Parkesburg, and
great grandchildren, Haydn, Caleb and Alex Torres of Macungie, brothers,
Thaddeus W. and William S. Wilde of Parkesburg and an “adopted son” Jeff
Ramsden of Christiana. He was preceded in death by a sister, Dorcas Ryan.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Tuesday,
December 3, at 10:00 am from the Parkesburg United Presbyterian Church, 511
Main St., Parkesburg, PA. The family will receive visitation immediately
following the service. The internment will be private. PLEASE OMIT FLOWERS.
Memorial donations can be made to the Presbyterian Church at the above
address.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Kirk Wilde, please visit our flower store.
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