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Lake Linden: Russell “Woody” Wilder, 78, of Lake Linden, passed away at his home on November 20, 2017.
He was born on January 11, 1939, in Munising, a son of Wanda and Russell Wilder. He graduated from Munising High School. He served in the US Coast Guard and was honorably discharged in 1964. He was very proud of his time in the Coast Guard and loved to tell stories of his many escapades while serving. He later attended Suomi College and graduated from NMU in 1972 with an Industrial education and Special Education Degree.
After a short time teaching, in 1975, he started Wilder Logging. Woody loved to work and spend time in the woods, especially the Huron Mountains, where he worked for many years. He could build and fix almost anything. Outside of logging, he used these skills for many years as a property investor in the Lake Linden area. After he retired, he loved to spend time with his family and friends at his garage in Lake Linden. His family is very grateful to all of the people who visited him there, especially in the later years.
On August 22, 1964, he was married to Barbara Audette at Holy Rosary Church in Lake Linden.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister-Barbara, and a brother-Paul.
He is survived by: his wife-Barbara; children-Madelyn of Lake Linden, Jodi (Larry) of Lake Linden, and R. Michael (Joanna) of Warsaw, Poland; grandchildren-Brooke, Brendan, Megan of Lake Linden, Mati, Ian, Natalia, Gabi, and Hela of Poland; Sister-Pat (Don) Johnson of Chatham; brother-Dick (Gail) Wilder of Marquette; brothers and sisters-in-law-Mary Kappler, Jim and Marybeth Audette of Lake Linden, and Joan and Todd Weiler of Green Bay; special friends-Jimmy, Mike, Tom, Paul, Donny, Gregg, and MQT Mary; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
As requested by the deceased, there will be no public services. The Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden is assisting the family.
