James Edward Wilson

James “Jim” Edward Wilson, 93, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 27th, 2025 in New Lexington, Ohio.

He was born May 22nd, 1932 to the late Michael Wilson and Thelma (Scott) Reed in rural Perry County.

He graduated from New Lexington High School in 1950 and enlisted in the Army in Columbus in 1952.  He considered his time served in 84th & 62nd Engineer Construction Battalions as a Sargent during the Korean War as the most influential part of his life. After the war, he met and married his wife of 67 years, Anna Catherine Matis in Cleveland on July 23rd, 1955.  Raising their family near Lake Erie, Jim took up boating and fishing while he worked at the Clevite Corporation as a manufacturing engineer in Cleveland. In 1972, Jim and Anna bought a farm in Morgan County and became weekend farmers while Jim worked at Jeffrey Manufacturing in Columbus. He retired from Keystone Powdered Metal Company in 1994 moving permanently to his beloved farm taking up a 32- year life of leisure traveling with his wife and enjoying the mowing of the lawn.

He leaves behind sons Jim in Plain City, Jeff in Blacklick, and daughter Karen in Morgan County: sisters Marjorie (Wilson) Deavers, Kathy (Reed) Gall and brother George Reed, sisters-in-law Vernie (Matis) Webb and Charlotte (Matis) Simpson as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by both parents Micheal and Thelma, wife Anna, brothers Michael and Clyde Wilson, and sisters Marilyn and Carolyn Wilson, Beatrice Kauffman, and Marie Winship.

Calling Hours will be 11:00am to 1:00pm Monday, November 3rd at Roberts-Winegardner Funeral Home, 304 mill street, New Lexington, Ohio with a funeral service immediately following.

Burial will be at Zion Cemetery, Portersville, Ohio. Graveside military services by John Tague Post #188, American Legion, New Lexington.  All are invited to join Jim, Jeff and Karen at “the farm” following the conclusion of the burial. 

Obituary and online registerbook at www.robertsfuneralhomenewlex.com

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