Chesterton emergency workers will lay to rest one of their own Thursday. An active volunteer firefighter and only recently retired as a police officer, Russell F. Wilding died very unexpectedly about 10 a.m. Monday in the emergency room at Porter Memorial Hospital. He was 60 years of age.
Wilding became a volunteer firefighter in February of 1957. He joined the Chesterton police force part–time in the mid 1950's working as a patrol officer and maintaining parking meters. For many years after joining the police department full–time, in 1969 he anchored the Chesterton police radio room during the day shirt, until he reached the department's mandatory retirement age of 60 last summer.
In honor of his 13 years of service with the E. J. & E railroad, Wilding was known locally as “Casey” after Casey Jones, the mythical engineer. He retired from E. J. & E in 1963 following an accident in which much of his right arm was amputated.
After the accident he developed dexterity with a device to give him use of his arm again, and he began a new career as a full–time police officer. He was credited with much of the effort involved in upgrading the Chesterton police radio room to a modern communication center.
Last summer Casey asked Chesterton officials to waive the police department's mandatory retirement age to allow him to keep working. Over 800 Chesterton residents signed petitions and sent letters in support of his request, but town officials decided against allowing him to keep working.
Wilding died after suffering a heart attack while on duty as a volunteer firefighter. He was stricken while helping clean equipment following a minor fire call in the Tremont area.
Strenuous life saving efforts by other firefighters and NOPAC personnel failed to revive Casey.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, with Rev. Richard J. Mattson officiating. Burial will be in Chesterton cemetery.
Pallbearers will include fire chief Ralph Brooks, asst. chief Walter Pliske, firefighters Warren “Skip” Highwood, James Bendt and Scott Wynder and veteran police office Orville Wilson.
Friends may call at the Carl Edmonds Funeral Home Wednesday from 2 to 9 p.m.
Born July 3, 1921 in Lyford, Ind. Wilding was the son of George and Mary Ethel (Laney) Wilding. In Michigan City on Sept 28, 1946, he married Phyllis L Stephens, who survives.
Also surviving are a daughter Shelia Wilding of Boston, Mass. three brothers, Charles of Rosedale, Ind. and Harmon and Eldin, both of Merrillville and a sister, Mrs. Richard (Georgia) Hines of Hobart. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Melissa Marie and a sister, Clara Faules.
Wilding was an Air Force veteran of World War II and came to Chesterton in 1954 from Gary. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Masonic Lodge 379 F & A M. He lived at 1332 Chalemel drive in Morningside.
The American Red Cross honored Casey last fall when he became a four gallon blood donor.