Gila County, AZ - John Arthur (Johnny) Wilder Jr., 62, passed away at 6:26 p.m. July 18, 2024, at Haven Health in Globe, AZ with his wife, daughter & family by his side. John was born May 11, 1962, in Sturgis, MI. to John Arthur Wilder Sr. & Wilma June (Gundrum) Wilder. In 1966 they moved from Sturgis to Jackson MI., where John grew up working on the family farm. John graduated from Napoleon High School, class of 1980. While in school he worked at Clark Lake Marina in Clark Lake, MI. After high school John joined the United States Air Force. After his service, he came home & met Barbara Ann Williams. They married Sept. 14, 1985; together they had two daughters, Rebecca Kay (Joshua) Eichler & Britnie Ann (Jr.) Shouse. John went to work at Krupa's Boat Mart as a foreman/mechanic for 23 years before retiring to Arizona to be close to his parents. John went on to work at K & S Marina Ace Hardware, then to Roosevelt campground as a camp host. In 2013 he moved back to Globe, where he enjoyed volunteering at the Gila Community Food Bank doing daily pickups until his stroke in 2018 that took his eyesight leaving him unable to drive. He still enjoyed sitting at the food bank keeping the ladies in check! John enjoyed spending time with his family hunting, fishing, family gatherings and reading to his grandkids. John enjoyed taking his family on test runs of the boats he had fixed. He loved being on the lakes.
John is survived by his wife of over 38 years Barbara Wilder; their two daughters Rebecca (Joshua) Eichler of Globe, AZ & Britnie (Jr.) Shouse of Georgia; his grandkids Hailey & Jeramiah Eichler, both of Globe, AZ, Derek & Angel of MI, Heaven, Harold, Lacy & little miss Grace of Georgia; his sisters Brenda (Roland) Smith of Batesburg, SC & Renea Shaffer of Globe, AZ; nieces Ashley-(Ass) (Scottie) Harris of Globe, AZ., Desiree & Chelsey Smith of MI, and Alexis Smith of Batesburg, SC; great-nephews Dawson Shaffer of Glendale, AZ, and Kayden & Carter Harris of Globe, AZ; great-nieces Macarrhea & Mariah Shaffer & Ashlyn Harris, all of Globe, AZ.; step-nephew Roland (Lee) Smith II; step-niece Amber Smith of Jackson, MI; step-greatnephews Johnny Christian Junior & Liam Smith of Jackson, MI; and step-great-nieces Alexandria Isabella & Jade Smith of Jackson, MI.
He was preceded in death by his parents John (Art) & Wilma Wilder, brother-in-law Pete Shaffer, and nephews Justin Shaffer & Nicolas Smith. Cremation will be under the direction of Bulman Miles Funeral Services. Services will be private at a later date.
Family is being assisted by Bulman Miles Funeral Services Globe. www.bulmanmiles.com
