Daniel Paul Wilder, Sr., age 82, of Scram Lake, Rockford, formerly of Kentwood, passed away Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at Hathaway Hills Assisted Living in Greenville under the loving care of his family and Great Lakes Hospice.  The son Orlando Paul & Beryl (Helms) Wilder, he was born on August 19, 1936 in Highland Park.  On November 30, 1957 he married Elizabeth Ann Ryan and together they raised three children, enjoyed traveling together, and would have celebrated 40 years of marriage had Elizabeth not passed away on January 20, 1997. 

For many years Dan owned and operated Dan Wilder Tire on Roger B. Chaffee Memorial Boulevard in Wyoming and spent the rest of his career in sales with Morrison Industrial Equipment and Clark Lift of Western Michigan. With his late wife, Elizabeth, they also owned and operated The Halfway Restaurant from the mid 80’s to the late 90’s providing employment opportunities for the local community.  A child of the Great Depression and World War II, Dan learned the value of a hard earned dollar early in life.  While he enjoyed traveling, his greatest joy was found in time spent with his family…  especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents;  a brother, Allen Wilder;  and a sister, Janet Bryant.  Surviving are his children, Dan (Leann) Wilder, Jr., Will Wilder, Sr. and Elizabeth (Bryan Edwards) Wilder-Edwards, all of Rockford; eight grandchildren, Alicia Wilder, Amanda (Casey) Conley, Will Wilder, Jr., Christopher Wilder, Matthew Wilder, Bryan Edwards, Jr., Brittney Edwards, and Katelyn Edwards;  two great-grandchildren, Molly Conley and Rowen Conley;  and several nieces and nephews. 

Visitation with the family is from 12-1 p.m. on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Hope Lutheran Church, 7000 Myers Lake Avenue N.E., Rockford, where memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.  Instead of flowers, Dan would have appreciated contributions in his memory to your favorite charity.  Two of Dan’s favorite charity’s were The Salvation Army and Mel Trotter Ministries. 

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Dan's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit:  www.ChristiansenCares.com  Arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville.