John W. Wilson

Mar. 2, 1936 - July 19, 2016

GRANGER - John W. Wilson, 80, of Granger, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at home at 9:21 pm Tuesday, July 19, 2016. He was born March 2, 1936, in Mattoon, IL, to the late Lester B. and Cecil M. (Horn) Wilson, and has lived the majority of his life in South Bend. On June 17, 1961, John married the former Sharlene (Sherri) Krizman, who survives. In addition to his loving wife of 55 years, he is survived by daughters, Gail (Joe) Ryan of Fort Wayne, IN, and Deborah Ward of Edwardsburg, MI; son, Gregory Wilson of Colon, MI; 8 grandchildren, Daniel, Shawn, Erin, and Caitlyn Ryan, Ashley (Michael Goepfrich), Lindsay, and Sarah Ward, and Dane Wilson; and one sister, Janet (Hal) Mann of Adamstown, MD. He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Annie Ryan.

John graduated from Riley High School in 1954, and continued his education at the College of Advanced Traffic in Chicago. IL. He worked his entire life in the transportation industry as a salesman and terminal manager at Roadway, LeeWay, Transcon, and Con-Way. He was a past president of the South Bend Transportation Club. Upon retirement, he enjoyed spending his winters in Punta Gorda, Florida. His favorite pastime was playing golf with family and friends. As a loving grandfather, John supported all of his grandchildren in their sporting events and extracurricular activities. He was an avid Chicago Bears and IU fan. As a veteran, he was honorably discharged from the United States Navy. John was a lifetime member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend, Indiana; South Bend Consistory 32nd Degree.

Friends may visit with the family from 4:00-7:00 pm Sunday, July 24, 2016, at the Palmer Funeral Home - Hickory Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN. Memorial services for John will be held at 11:00 am Monday, July 25, 2016, at the funeral home, with Ted Mitchell officiating.

Online condolences may be left for the Wilson family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/southbendtribune/obituary.aspx?n=john-wilson&pid=180747744&fhid=8852&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.1kh8ta86.dpuf