Coralie Eileen Severn Wilson, 92, of Van Wert, died May 22, 2018, at Hearth & Home of Van Wert. She was born in Van Wert to Dane S. and Grace V. (Dreyer) Severn. In 1946 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Van Wert, she married Robert (Bob) Warren Wilson.
They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2016 just weeks before his death. Her first child, Clark, was stillborn. She is survived by her children, Coralie A. Wilson, Mark (Ellen) Wilson and Colin Wilson; grandchildren Graham and Alex Wilson and Madelyn Wilson; and great grandson Ethan Wilson.
Coralie is also survived by her sisters, Betty Weddle, Marjorie (Marge) Clouse, and Marcia Darras, and brother Robert (Lois) Severn, and numerous nieces and nephews. After graduating from Van Wert High School in 1944, Coralie applied for a clerical position at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, OH. It was there that she met the man who would become her husband, a dashing former B-17 pilot who had re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a Master Sergeant and whose 30-year military career took them to bases all over the country.
Their children were born at Francis E. Warren A.F.B., Cheyenne, WY; Bethlehem, PA; and Ladd A.F.B., near Fairbanks, AK. Coralie and Bob were well matched as a couple, they were great partners, and they both seemed to thrive on the challenge of packing up kids (and cats and dogs) and moving about every four years. Coralie continued to work as a civilian employee in clerical positions when Bob was transferred to Lowrey A.F.B. in Denver and then to Francis E. Warren A.F.B. in Cheyenne, WY.
Once daughter Ann was born, Coralie devoted herself to being a full-time Mom until Colin started school. She executed the job of parent with the same devotion and competence she brought to her paid positions. She kept the household running, organized the move to the next assignment and annual trips back to Ohio, made Hallowe’en costumes, served as Girl and Boy Scout leader, made sure the kids got to school and Sunday School and made it all look easy.
There were only two things she didn’t do – clean shrimp and iron Bob’s uniforms. Coralie resumed working as a civilian employee with the U.S. Air Force in 1962 when Bob was stationed at Goodfellow A.F.B. in San Angelo, TX, and at Chanute A.F.B. in Rantoul, IL. When they moved back to Wright-Patterson A.F.B., she found herself working in the contracting office.
That’s when she decided to make the move from her clerical position as a Civil Service GS2 to contracting officer. By the time of her retirement, she had reached the GM (General Manager)13 level. Following retirement, she worked as a consultant for the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) in Newport News, VA.
After Coralie’s retirement from the Civil Service in 1989, she and Bob returned to Van Wert, OH. She was active at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church for many years, from ringing the carillon bells to sewing quilts. Her volunteer activities included conducting research for the Van Wert Historical Society, including identifying cemeteries throughout the county, and she was active in the Van Wert Chapter of the Eastern star, serving a term as worthy matron.
Funeral service will be held at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, June 17, 2018 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 160 W Sycamore St, Van Wert, OH 45891 with Rev. Janine Foster officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 3:30 p.m. until service time.
Interment will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 18 in Ridge Cemetery. Preferred memorials are to St. Mark’s Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements entrusted to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory.
Condolences may be expressed at www. alspachgearhart.com.
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