Bruce R. Wilging

Bruce Wilging, 92, entered into eternal life with his Heavenly Father on October 12, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.
Bruce was born in Mansfield, Ohio on September 26,1932 to parents Phillip and Catherine (Wenhardt) Wilging, he was the youngest of 9 children. After graduating from Mansfield Senior High School he went on to attend The Ohio State University as well as serve in the United State Army in Korea.
On January 19, 1957, he married the love of his life Sondra Frasher, and the two shared 67 wonderful years together. They were longtime members of Mansfield 1st Evangelical Presbyterian Church, where Bruce developed a deep relationship with the Lord.
Once he moved back home, Bruce joined his brother Stan as a contractor to learn the business and he eventually went to work for himself. He built and owned the Brookfield and the Meadows apartments. In 1995 the family business grew when his son Christopher joined him as a manager. Bruce built custom homes and commercial buildings in both the Mansfield and Lexington areas for many years. Through his work Bruce became great friends with the Hughett family and cherished their many years as colleagues. His success in his various businesses could only be attributed to his tireless work ethic.
Bruce was born with an adventurous spirit which manifested in his love for earning his pilot's license and flying ultralite planes, riding dirt bikes with his friends, and racing in the soap box derby- which always resulted in a nervous wife and family, but it was always fun for him! In 1947, after winning the Mansfield Soap Box Derby, with his Wilging Meats sponsored coaster, he traveled up to Akron for the national finals, where he placed 6th in the world. Bruce enjoyed playing tennis, skiing, golfing, and playing pickleball. He was also an avid fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes football team and the Cleveland Browns. When he wasn't busy working he loved to relax in nature and take in the serene beauty around their Lake Erie and Sanibel Island homes. Bruce was a loving, kind, and generous husband, father, and grandfather who will be deeply missed by everyone who loved him.
He is survived by his loving wife Sondra Wilging, daughter Elizabeth Anderson, son Christopher Wilging, granddaughter Abigail Jean Anderson, special niece Tracie Belt and her family, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews who adored their "Uncle Bruce". Throughout his life Bruce and Sondra formed lifelong friendships with a close knit group of friends who he also leaves behind.
In addition to his parents, Bruce is preceded in death by his beloved son Michael David Wilging, infant twins, sister-in-law Jean Giguere, and all of his siblings.
The Wilging family will receive guests from 11 am to 1 pm on Friday, Oct 18, 2024 at the Snyder Funeral Homes Lexington Avenue Chapel. A funeral service will begin immediately after at 1 pm. Burial to follow in Mansfield Memorial Park. Pastor Joseph Yerger will speak.
Memorial contributions in Bruce's honor can be made to either Mansfield 1st Evangelical Presbyterian Church or to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to serve Bruce's family and encourage you to share a fond memory or message of condolence on his obituary page at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.