Paul Dwight Wilson's Obituary
Paul Dwight Wilson, 82, of Monroeville, IN, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2026. Paul was born on September 5, 1943, in Bluffton, IN, to the late Woodrow and Margaret Rose (Isnogle) Wilson. On February 20, 1965, he married Judith Ann Crandal, whom he jokingly introduced as his first wife throughout their 61-year marriage.
Paul graduated from Monroeville High School in 1961, and was a proud graduate of a postsecondary short course in agriculture at Purdue University. Even before those milestones, he had already committed fully to his life's work: farming. Paul began farming with his father in the 1950s and continued working his land until his final harvest in 2014.
Paul also served his country with honor as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Air Force's Air National Guard. He was recognized for his service when he received the Distinguished Airman of the Year Award in 1967. He was also active for many years in the Indiana Farmers Union and a member of Monroeville United Methodist Church.
Aside from farming, Paul enjoyed square dancing with Judy and even joined a club called Odds & Ends in his earlier days. He loved a good joke (Captain Stubby was a favorite) and had a distinct taste in music (including Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline). He loved nothing more than wandering road trips. From a youthful trip to Mardi Gras in New Orleans with his best friend to a family trip to Arizona with Judy, Tammy and Mike in the 1970s, and even a road trip to Corpus Christi, Texas, to visit Kim and her family in 2012... Paul was always up for a drive with a loosely-plotted plan and directions that might lead him to a greasy spoon in the middle of nowhere.
Following a heart health scare in his 40s, Paul took his cardiologist's advice seriously and began going to the gym as often as possible. This began a new era of self-care that included near-daily visits to Parkside Fitness Center. During that time he discovered yoga and the Three Rivers Co-Op Natural Grocery and Deli in Fort Wayne. Paul's Three Rivers habit rivaled his Parkside routine, sometimes leading to multiple trips a day for his favorite butterscotch grog coffee.
Some of Paul's grandchildren had the opportunity to see his love of farming first-hand during visits to the farm during planting and harvest seasons. Others knew a more relaxed grandpa in his retirement years who enjoyed rides on the Gator around the farm property looking for bugs and critters- especially the beloved farm kitty, Billy, who became one of Paul's favorite companions.
Paul is survived by his wife, Judy Wilson; three children, Tamara (Chuck) Eppler of New Haven, Michael (Amy) Wilson of Carmel, and Kimberly Preston of Indianapolis; five grandchildren, Robin Dawkins of Spokane, WA, Alexandra and Ainsley Wilson of Carmel, and Jessica and Katherine Preston of Indianapolis; and three siblings, Jan Wilson of Bellingham, WA, Rex Wilson (Nenette Guzman) of Highland Park, IL, and Dave (Lynnda) Wilson of New Haven.
Funeral service is 11 am on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Harper's Community Funeral Home, 740 St. Rd. 930 E., New Haven with visitation one hour prior. Family and friends will also be received from 1 to 5 pm on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the funeral home. Interment will be held at Monroeville Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Paul's family requests that donations be made to organizations meaningful to him: the Monroeville EMS or the American Heart Association. Please indicate "In memory of Paul Wilson" in the memo line or on an attached note. For online condolences please visit www.harperfuneralhome.com
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