Beverly Baker Wilson

Beverly Baker Wilson, of Mansfield, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2018, surrounded by her children. She was born on January 16, 1937, the sixth of twelve children of Otis F. and Florence (Coffey) Baker. Beverly was a graduate of Mansfield Senior High, Class of 1955. She worked retail for many years, retiring in 2011.

In Beverly's words, this is her journey and her love story.

I met Skip Wilson in 1956 and it was love at first sight. On our first date, he took me to the Richland County Fair on Springmill Street. We just hit it off, and a year later were married. A few years passed and we were blessed with two beautiful children; Shelley and Mike; and our wonderful grandson, Brad. We could not have asked for anything better. So many great times. I thank them so much for all of the wonderful care they gave me, amongst many trips to doctors and hospitals. These are the things that touched my heart.

Skip and I were blessed with so many wonderful friends. We would meet every month at Golden Corral and it was so nice we could share so many good times. Skip passed away in 2015, my heart was broken. We were married 58 years. Everything changed. You see that empty chair, you miss the hugs, you cry buckets of tears and reminisce about all the wonderful times we shared together. You know you must move on; life is so short.

I was from a large family - oh the memories. I often wonder how Mom and Dad raised that many kids. Most have passed away.

I thank the James Cancer Hospital for all their wonderful care, Dr. Kami Maddocks, Gretchen McNally, staff nurses, doctors, Heartland Hospice and Bennington Glen, and anyone who cared for me. I was surely blessed. Thank you everyone for the prayers, phone calls, cards, gifts, flowers, food and invitations. I thank God for giving me my wonderful life and family. Always remember there's an angel sitting on your shoulder.

Now my journey is over. Skip is waiting for me. We had so much to be thankful for, count your blessings. We are now in God's hands together forever to walk the path of peace.

Beverly was an active member of Ohio World of China Painters and the Mansfield China Painters and Porcelain Artists. With her love of painting porcelain for many years, her favorite subject was painting roses. She had many pieces selected to display for a year at the World Organization of China Painters Museum in Oklahoma City. Beverly attended many seminars and schools on this fine art and had wonderful teachers and friends.

Left to cherish Beverly's memory are her children, Shelley (Dan) Seckel and Mike (Andrea) Wilson; grandson, Brad (Megan) Wilson; sisters, Shirlene Kowalski and Brenda Benepe; brother, Raymond (Elaine) Baker; sister-in-law, Marlene Baker; brother-in-law, William Meligan; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by brothers, Virgil (Dolores), Glenn (Martha), Jim, Jerry and Ronald (Esther); and sisters, Donna (Floyd) Guegold, Judy Meligan and Joyce Johnston; and brothers-in-law, Walter Kowalski and Charles Benepe.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. in Mansfield Memorial Park, 2506 Park Avenue West, Ontario, Ohio with Dr. Richard Rader presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heartland Hospice, 685 Delaware Avenue, Suite 300, Marion, OH 43302 or to a charity of the donor's choice. The Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors is privileged to serve the family