Raymond Wilde

Raymond "Wimpy" Wilde, age 85, of Koeltztown, passed away October 14, 2012, in the comfort of his home. Ray was born on February 22, 1927, in Freeburg, to the late Joseph and Catherine (Kloeppel) Wilde. On July 7, 1962, Ray was united in marriage to Sophia Temmen at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Koeltztown, who survives at their home. He attended Freeburg High School and worked at Moloney Electric in St. Louis and Chesebrough Ponds in Jefferson City. He was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church and the Argyle Knights of Columbus Council No. 2047. Ray was one of the founding members of the Osage County Public Water Supply District #4. Ray had numerous hobbies and interests during his life. Most notably, hunting and fishing all around Osage County and socializing with the numerous friends he met along the way. He was always upbeat and knew how to make you laugh. His focus on life was to enjoy every moment as it came and not dwelling on the negatives or to waste time complaining. He had a gift of always looking on the bright side of every situation; a gift that he passed along to his children and grandchildren. Other survivors include two children: Ralph Wilde (wife Cathy) of Koeltztown and Wanda (Wilde) Groner (husband Larry) of Westphalia; three grandchildren: Brittany, Paige and Sam Groner of Westphalia; and one sister-in-law, Augusta Haslag of Frankenstein. In addition to his mother and father, Ray was preceded in death by one brother, Alphonse Wilde (Apellone); five sisters, Pauline McClenathan (Lauren), Leona Dee (Bill), Marge Even (Henry), Theola Noblett (Bud), infant sister Eleanor; sisters-in-law, Betty Hilkemeyer (Norbert), Gertrude Koerber ( John); and brothers-in-law, Sylvester Haslag and Virgil Temmen. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Ray at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 18, 2012, in the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Koeltztown, with the Rev. Msgr. Marion J. Makarewicz celebrating. Interment will be in the St. Boniface Cemetery, Koeltztown, under the direction of the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, October 17, 2012, with a Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. and from 10-11 a.m., Thursday, October 18, 2012, all in the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Koeltztown. Memorial contributions are suggested per the wishes of the family with envelopes available at the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Koeltztown, or the Vienna Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Condolences may be left for the family at birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com