1918
Sylvan
2006
Sylvan Ray Wildman
February 13, 1918 — May 22, 2006
S.R. Wildman, 88 of Rock Island died May 22, 2006 at Trinity Medical Center, Rock Island.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, May 25, 2006 at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. 6601-38th Ave., Moline. Visitation will be from 11:30 -1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Rock Island.
Ray was born February 13, 1918 in Douglas County, IL to Sylvan E. and Vinnie G (Jividan) Wildman. He graduated from Atwood Township High School in 1935. He entered CCC's in August 1935 at Rock Island Arsenal. He served his machinist apprenticeship at the Rock Island Arsenal.
Ray was an Aviation Cadet in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He graduated in 1945 as a Navigator on a B-29.
Ray graduated from Augustana College in 1955 with a degree in Economics. He received a Master's degree in Management in 1969 from Northern Illinois University. He did additional post graduate studies at Universities of Iowa, Illinois, Purdue and St. Ambrose.
He worked for the Federal Government for 49 years, starting as a laborer at Rock Island Arsenal rising through the management rank, retiring in 1984. From 1972 to 1984, Ray was Director of The Arsenal Operations Directorate. During this assignment, he was instrumental in initiating the REARM project which modernized the manufacturing processes of the Directorate. He was responsible for recruiting women into the machinist apprenticeship program. Ray was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service award twice during his career at the Arsenal.
He married Dorothy Kittilsen on September 18, 1946. They have four daughters, Janet Gifford, Burnsville, MN; Nancy (Joseph) Katterhenry, Newburgh, IN; Ann Wildman, Archer, FL; and Frances (Roger) Pearson, Silvis. There are seven grandchildren, April (David) Baker, Tampa, FL; Sara Kaderlik, Tigard, OR; Stephanie Sowards, Evansvillle, IN; Pvt. Mark Katterhenry, Newburgh, IN; Sgt. Michael Gifford, Germany; Dustin and Angela Whitney, Silvis. He is survived also by a sister Grace (Leo) Dick, Tuscola, IL.
Ray was a member of the R.I. Masonic Lodge 658, and the Moline Consistory for over 50 years, and was a member of the Tebala Shrine in Rockford, IL. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Rock Island for 68 years.
Ray always encouraged young people to do their best, to never stop learning and to take advantage of all the opportunities available to them. Ray loved to fish and spent the last 25 summers at their summer home in Northeastern Wisconsin.
He was preceded in death by his brothers Earl, Ralph and Kenneth Wildman and sisters Fern Blaase and Esther VanLanken.
Online condolences may be expressed to Ray's family by visiting his obituary at
www.esterdahlmortuary.com
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, May 25, 2006 at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. 6601-38th Ave., Moline. Visitation will be from 11:30 -1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Rock Island.
Ray was born February 13, 1918 in Douglas County, IL to Sylvan E. and Vinnie G (Jividan) Wildman. He graduated from Atwood Township High School in 1935. He entered CCC's in August 1935 at Rock Island Arsenal. He served his machinist apprenticeship at the Rock Island Arsenal.
Ray was an Aviation Cadet in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He graduated in 1945 as a Navigator on a B-29.
Ray graduated from Augustana College in 1955 with a degree in Economics. He received a Master's degree in Management in 1969 from Northern Illinois University. He did additional post graduate studies at Universities of Iowa, Illinois, Purdue and St. Ambrose.
He worked for the Federal Government for 49 years, starting as a laborer at Rock Island Arsenal rising through the management rank, retiring in 1984. From 1972 to 1984, Ray was Director of The Arsenal Operations Directorate. During this assignment, he was instrumental in initiating the REARM project which modernized the manufacturing processes of the Directorate. He was responsible for recruiting women into the machinist apprenticeship program. Ray was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service award twice during his career at the Arsenal.
He married Dorothy Kittilsen on September 18, 1946. They have four daughters, Janet Gifford, Burnsville, MN; Nancy (Joseph) Katterhenry, Newburgh, IN; Ann Wildman, Archer, FL; and Frances (Roger) Pearson, Silvis. There are seven grandchildren, April (David) Baker, Tampa, FL; Sara Kaderlik, Tigard, OR; Stephanie Sowards, Evansvillle, IN; Pvt. Mark Katterhenry, Newburgh, IN; Sgt. Michael Gifford, Germany; Dustin and Angela Whitney, Silvis. He is survived also by a sister Grace (Leo) Dick, Tuscola, IL.
Ray was a member of the R.I. Masonic Lodge 658, and the Moline Consistory for over 50 years, and was a member of the Tebala Shrine in Rockford, IL. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Rock Island for 68 years.
Ray always encouraged young people to do their best, to never stop learning and to take advantage of all the opportunities available to them. Ray loved to fish and spent the last 25 summers at their summer home in Northeastern Wisconsin.
He was preceded in death by his brothers Earl, Ralph and Kenneth Wildman and sisters Fern Blaase and Esther VanLanken.
Online condolences may be expressed to Ray's family by visiting his obituary at
www.esterdahlmortuary.com
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