Thaddeus W. "Bud" Wilde

Thaddeus W. "Bud" Wilde was born March 2, 1931 to James William Wilde and Ruth Kirk Wilde in Parkesburg PA. He graduated from Parkesburg High School in 1949 and participated in band, basketball, assistant manager for the baseball team, and played in various roles in the school plays.  He went to Eckels College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia and graduated in 1953.  He served two years of apprenticeship at the Wilde Funeral Home and became the 4th generation of Wilde funeral directors, which dates back to the late 1840s.

He married Shirley Conover Wilde in 1954 and had three children Billy and wife Jean of Atglen, Betsy Benner and husband Bob of Gap, and Cathy Christ and husband Carey of Parkesburg.  Shirley died February 23, 1992. Bud remarried Suzanne Miller Wilde.  Bud has nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He also has two step children; Mary Pat Barton and husband Tom of Newark, DE and Michael Gain and wife Alison of New Hartford, Conn. and three step grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his three siblings, Dorcas Ryan, James K. Wilde and William S. Wilde and one stepson, John Gain.

Bud was a member of Parkesburg Methodist Church and former member of Parkesburg Presbyterian Church where he served as deacon, elder, and trustee. He had been a member of The Brandywine Goddard Masonic Lodge F & AM for 67 years.  He served on the Official Board of the Chester County Blind Association and the Parkesburg Centennial Committee in 1972.

Bud joined the Parkesburg Fire Company at the age of 14 as a Junior Fireman.  He became Fire Chief from 1961 - 1963.  He also served as the Civil Service Director at that time. He served as one of the honorary Co-Chairs for the Capital Campaign Committee in 2019. He was awarded Honorary Life Membership.

He was awarded The Parent Teacher Association Award of the Parkesburg School.  He was also awarded The Four Chaplain's Award.

He became a member of the Parkesburg Lions Club May 1, 1977 and later served as President.  He also served on numerous committees during his membership and in February of this year he was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.

One of Bud's greatest pleasures was helping families in their time of need.  The love that he gave to the community in Parkesburg was reciprocated in kind by all who met him.

All his life he enjoyed antique automobiles but his greatest pleasure was his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  His family will remember him for his generosity, love, and his ability to embellish stories, especially the ones he told his grandchildren.  His generosity to those he loved is his legacy.

Funeral services will be private for his family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bud's memory to SEPTBA, 601 Glen Run Drive, Atglen, PA 19310 in support of the restoration project to rebuild the 1917 Parkesburg Baseball Field and stands.

Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com

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