Elias "Ed" Edward Wilds

Elias “Ed” Edward Wilds, age 97, passed away on April14, 2026, in the care of the Meadows of Marion. On March 26, 1929, Ed was born to his late parents, Edward Wilds and Hazel Pierce, in Ironton, OH. Ed would find the love of his life, Iola “Olie” Collins, and get married on February 28, 1953. They were together until her passing in 1994.

Ed worked most of his life as a machinist. He would run his own business, G.I.E. services, for 45 plus years before retiring. He was a family man who was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, and great grandpa. Ed was a man of faith and attended the Calvary Bible Baptist Church. In his free time, he loved to golf and be outside.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, wife, and his son, James Wilds, and son-in-law, Robert “Bob” Temple, and his siblings, Anna Wilds Gompf, Marshall Wilds, Lucille Simmers Gregory, Bill Simmers, and Raymond Underwood.

He is survived by his children, Greg Wilds and Deborah Temple, grandchildren; Janette (Brian Leach) Wilds, Nicole Wilds, Casey Temple Green, Kristen (Jason Taylor) Temple, Chelsea (Joseph Byrd) Temple, Kinsey Temple Irwin, Jacklyn Wilds, and Lucy Wilds-Currie, 20 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Wilds family would like to invite all who knew Ed to join them at the Calvary Bible Baptist Church on Thursday, April 23, 2026, for calling hours from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The funeral service will be on the same day starting at 12 p.m. at the church. Immediately following the service, there will be an interment service at the Caledonia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Calvary Bible Baptist Church. The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful care from Tranquility Hospice, the aides from Cornerstone Caregiving and the wonderful staff at the Meadows of Marion.

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