Wilda Haidle

1930 - 2022

LIMA -- After 92 years of a meaningful life filled with love, laughter, and purpose, Wilda Belle Reese Haidle peacefully passed away on June 7, the same date that she was born in 1930 in Ashtabula, OH. She spent her final days surrounded by her devoted family, which was steadfast to what meant the most to her.

Wilda was the eldest child of her hard-working parents, Mary Jane (Broski) and Dwight Reese. Despite the hardship of losing her father at a young age, she always felt surrounded by the love of extended aunts, uncles and cousins. She was doted on by her Grandma and Grandpa Reese and Grandma Broski and palled around with her cousin Jean Broski and lifelong friend Phyllis Cooper Sitterly. Her sister Lorna M. Oslin and her brother S. Lorain Reese preceded her in death, as did her mother who lived nearly 102 years, and her in-laws, W. Lawrence and S. Marie Haidle, Sarah Haidle Glaser and her husband Joe, and brother-in-law Dr. Thomas Reef.

Wilda earned her R.N. degree at Huron Road Hospital in Cleveland where she met the dashing, honest, fair-minded James Thompson Haidle from Buena Vista, PA. They married September 12, 1953 and celebrated nearly 69 years of marriage. After living in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO while Dad served in the U.S. Army, they came back to Ohio to work and raise a family.

Among the joys and tribulations of raising four children in Elida, along with dogs and rabbits, she continued to work in her chosen profession, including with Dad in his podiatry practice. Other interests included land development, needlepoint, fashionable clothing and hats, tutoring Elida Elementary and Headstart students, playing not-so-good golf, mystery books, and dining at Greggs, Macy's and Rigalis with her 'lunch bunch' friends. Despite having never learned to swim, Mom spent many weekends boating on various Ohio lakes while multitudes of kids learned to water ski. She and Dad enjoyed traveling with family and friends, including those they met in Sertoma and LaSertoma. Failing eyesight and health robbed Mom of many of these pleasures late in her life so instead she crafted handmade cards, worked on jigsaw puzzles, watched birds at her feeders, enjoyed the talented musicians at Market Street Presbyterian Church, and patiently waited for family weddings and great grandchildren.

She is dearly loved and missed by her devoted and loving husband, her four outspoken children, precious grandchildren and great grandchildren: Cindy and Bob Holodnak, and their son Matthew; Betsy and Randy McClain, and their children: Megan and Tyler Young and their son Theo, and Evan McClain; Sue Haidle and Tony Gugliemotto, and their children: Sam Gugliemotto, Olivia Gugliemotto, Danielle Gugliemotto and Scott Robinson, Anya Gugliemotto and her daughter Nora Birrer, and Brent and Jenny Gugliemotto and their son Julius; and Bill Haidle and his children Ashley Haidle and her son Damian Basinger, Jordan Marie and Matt Hawn, and their son Camden Allen, and Ian Thompson Haidle. Other people close to our family are Charlotte Clevenger, Mac Workman, Kelly Layman and Chris Etzkorn, as well as sisters-in law Susann Haidle Reef and Marilyn Reese, many Broski, Reese, Thompson and Haidle relatives, and longtime caring neighbors.

Mom loved her life but never quite got over the disappointment that Betsy moved far away. Anyone who knows Wilda knows that Betsy was her favorite child, although to be fair to the others, she liked them quite a bit too. We long thought that even grandchildren couldn't compare with the joy that Betsy brought into her life but now we know better. One regret we have is that she didn't live long enough to hold her newest great grandson but she did enjoy photos of him and his cherished mother.

Wilda loved a good party so we will celebrate her long life on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at Market Street Presbyterian Church, 1100 W. Market St., Lima. Visitation will be from 10-11 am and the funeral service will begin at 11:15 am. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Donations in honor of her caring ways can be made to the American Township Fire Department, 105 W. Main St., Elida, OH 45807 c / o Tom Hadding. Arrangements by Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, 1170 Shawnee Rd. Lima, OH 45805.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.