Joseph George Wylder Sr.

CLINTON - Joseph George Wylder Sr., 102, of Clinton died 4:50 a.m. Wednesday (Nov. 1, 2006) in Hawthorne Inn, Clinton. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Clinton United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Leah Pogemiller officiating. Visitation will be one hour before services in the church. Burial will be in Oak Park Cemetery, Clinton. Calvert Funeral Homes, Clinton, is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials: Clinton United Methodist Church. Mr. Wylder was born Oct. 16, 1904, in Honey Bend, the son of Joseph Alfred and Mary Elizabeth Odgen Wylder. Joe graduated from Litchfield High School in 1922, Illinois College with a Bachelor of Science and University of Illinois with a masters degree. He was a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent during his 43 years of teaching. He was also an ironworker and belonged to the International Iron Workers' Union. He was at the following schools: Palmyra, Stonington, Kilbourne, Beason, Reynolds, Rock Ridge in Edgington and Attica, Ind. He coached football, baseball, basketball, volleyball and track. He was still attending sporting events after his 100th birthday. He was a lifelong Cardinals fan and attended a game in St. Louis when he was 99 and a half. Wylder Baseball Field at Terry Park, Palmyra, was named for Joe. He was a 70-year member of Palmyra Masonic Lodge and a member of Sons of the American Revolution. He married Mildred Rose Miller on Aug. 18, 1926, in Jacksonville. She preceded him in death Dec. 20, 1999. Surviving are his daughter, Mary Jo (John) Devereaux of State College, Penn.; sons, Joseph George (Carole) Wylder Jr. and Timothy Miller Wylder, both of Clinton; John Thomas (Viki) Wylder of Tallahassee, Fla.; grandchildren, Janet Renee Eklund of Andover, N.H.; Timothy Larry (Jeannine) Wylder of Bloomington; David Kenneth (Karen) Michel of State College, Penn.; great-grandchildren, Kristina Rose Wylder and Danelle Kathleen Wylder, both of Chicago; Matthew Joseph Wylder of Rockford; Michael Arthur Eklund of Andover, N.H. He was preceded in death by his wife. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/Obituaries.asp