Richard F. "Dick" Wilder

Richard F. “Dick” Wilder, 69, of Homosassa, FL, passed away on August 21, 2012 at his home. A native of Lecanto, FL, he was born Sept. 19, 1942 to William and Catherine (Allen) Wilder, one of six children. Mr. Wilder grew up in Citrus County as a boy and played football on the very first Junior Varsity team at Crystal River High School. He moved to St. Petersburg as a teen and began a 54 year career in funeral service with Lee Williams Funeral Home in St. Petersburg, washing cars, serving with the ambulance crew, or wherever he was needed. Dick attended the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science, Louisville, KY and graduated in 1967. In 1975, Dick moved to Homosassa Springs and established Wilder Funeral Home, where he worked until the day of his passing, a Citrus County career that spanned 37 years. He had resided in Sugarmill Woods for the past 20 years and was a member of the Springs Lodge F& AM, where he served for a number of years as its Secretary. He was of the Baptist faith and was an avid Bobby Bowden and Florida Seminole fan. His many associations in Citrus County included Homosassa Springs Chamber of Commerce; Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Shriners Club, Rotary International and Citrus County Cattleman’s Association. Dick was one the founding fathers of Chassahowitzka Baptist Church, which later evolved into Faith Baptist Church. Dick Wilder was known countywide as a man who always gave more than he received and contributed to many local organizations, especially Little League and soccer, and even coached his daughters on their softball team when they were youn. Mr. Wilder sponsored many Citrus County bowling leagues over the years. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Lynn Wilder, Homosassa; daughter Donna Guinn (Rodney), Ocala; daughter Dina Baird (Walter), Ocala; daughter Mitzi Patrick (Darrell), Crystal River; daughter Gina Ingram (Casey); brother Robert Wilder, Ocala; sister Katie Rehnke, St. Petersburg; sister-in-law Doris Wilder, Brooksville; grandchildren Madison, Ian, Daniel, Joshua, Ethan and Tyler and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by three siblings; William, Walter and Florida Ann. A Celebration of Life service will take place at Gulf To Lake Baptist Church, Crystal River on Sat., Aug. 25th at 11:00 A.M. with Pastors Lloyd Bertine and Laverle Coats. Interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Lecanto. Friends will be received on Fri., Aug. 24th from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Wilder Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to either Hospice of Citrus County or the Shriner’s Club. www.wilderfuneral.com