Lewis M. “Lewie” Wilson, 84, of South Whitley, Indiana, died peacefully at 5:05 pm, Saturday, December 9, 2023, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born on August 24, 1939, in Kosciusko County, Indiana, to Merl and Alvina (Cotton) Wilson.
Lewie was a simple man with simple tastes. He loved his grandkids and great grandkids with all his heart, He cherished his Indiana Hoosiers, was an avid bowler, enjoyed playing Euchre, and had a hard time putting his controller down on his Wii game system, even when being called for the third time for dinner. He first married Sheila Michael in 1960 and then to Lila Strombeck in 1981; she died in 2006. A life long trucker, he started driving for Guy Stickler hauling farm animals and grain to the market at the age of 15 before he had a driver’s license. Later he hauled tar and asphalt for Pierceton Trucking, chemicals for Rogers Cartage, and after retirement he hauled agriculture loads for Swihart Trucking well into his 70s. Also while at Pierceton Trucking he moonlighted as the Pierceton Town Marshall. Lewie and Lila spent their summer months at Yogi Bear Campgound in Pierceton.
He is survived by three children, Lynnette “Charlie” (Robb) Lovellette of LaFontaine, Indiana, Michael Wilson of Wabash, and Randall Wilson of LaFontaine; two step-sons, Dave (Peg) Strombeck of Colorado, and Bob (Deanna) Strombeck of North Webster, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Brad (Stacie) Lovellette, Joseph (Carrie) Lovellette, Michael Wilson II, Peyton (Jackson) Birkenbeul, Shawn (Janine) Strombeck, Ashley Christenson, and Christopher Strombeck; seven great grandchildren; and his two brothers, Merl (Karen) Wilson of North Manchester, and Richard Wilson of Pierceton, Indiana. He was also preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother, Lawrence “Pete” Wilson. and infant sister Nancy Wilson
Funeral services will be 10:30 am, Friday, December 15, 2023, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, 207 W. Main St., North Manchester, with Deanna Strombeck officiating. Burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery, South Whitley. Friends may call 2-7 pm Thursday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are Whitley County Animal Shelter or South Whitley Fire Department.
The memorial guest book for Lewie may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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