John Wilson Wilds, of Hesperia, Michigan

Published 8:26 am Thursday, September 22, 2016

 April 1, 1949 — Aug. 24, 2016

John W. Wilds, 67, passed away unexpectedly while hospitalized.
He resided in Hesperia, Michigan, with his life partner and good friend Bill Kamp, who he leaves behind along with his large Hesperia family and close friends.
He leaves behind his sisters, Patricia (John) Vandeluyster, of Alberta, Alabama; Dolly (Lyle) Shaw of Dowagiac; Darlene (Hugh) Trussell, of Dowagiac; and Rose (Jaime) Aravena, of Niles.
John was born to Garver and Maybelle (Cornelius) Wilds, the seventh of seven children. They preceded him in death, along with brothers Leonard (Connie) Wilds, of Dowagiac; and Earl “Gene” (Judy) Wilds, of Albion, Michigan.
After graduating from Dowagiac Union High School, John graduated from Southwestern Michigan College’s School of Nursing.
John was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served as a medic with the National Guard.
A celebration of life took place Sept. 4, 2016, in Hesperia at the home site of one of John’s close Hesperia family, an annual Labor Day Weekend gathering of family and friends — a special event John loved. Also in attendance were his sisters and spouses.
John also leaves hind his beloved dog Nada, number four of John’s dogs. He had before Erik, Ronnie and Diego. John loved animals and was an activist and member of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to any animal shelter.
John has been cremated.