Lona Wilder

Lona (Luster) Wilder, 83, of Charlestown, IN. passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Baptist Health Floyd, surrounded by a multitude of her loving family.

She was born on May 19, 1943, in Helton, KY, the daughter of George Luster and Dellia Sullivan Luster. She was the widow of Estill Wilder, whom she shared her life with for 59 years and had missed him terribly for the past 5 years. She was a faithful member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Charlestown, where she was active in the women’s ministry. Lona spent many years working in retail for Value City Department Store and retired from the JayC Deli in Charlestown. According to Lona, her primary job was taking care of her family. She loved crafting, tending to her many flowers, and listening to worship music. Lona was known for her floral arrangements, especially her seasonal front- and back-door wreaths, and was of Irish descent with a true green thumb. She took great care to invest in her family, telling them about the Lord through stories and pictures from the Big Family Bible. Taught them to always treat others how they would want to be treated and to love selflessly. Lona was known by many to always give the best hugs!

Mrs. Wilder is survived by sons: Shelby W. Wilder (Lorna) of Scottsburg, IN, Ric Wilder (Angela) of Clarkson, KY, Lonis Wilder of Charlestown, IN, and Douglas Wilder of Corydon, IN; daughters: Geneva Sizemore (Ricky Dale) of Hyden, KY, Norma Britton (Garrett) of Sellersburg, IN, Janice Bridgwater (Boyd) of Charlestown, IN, and Pamela Hammer (Steve)of Knoxville, TN, and her last surviving sibling, Lola Bethel Caldwell (Joe) Keavy, KY. She was blessed also with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, and dogs, along with a host of beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Lona was preceded in death by her husband, Estill Wilder, and parents, George and Dellia Luster; brothers, Logan, Luther, Lester, and Solomon; sisters, Lillie Engle, Louise Hall, Lucille Napier, Lela Hill, Lois Brock, and Georgia Peace.

Life Celebration services for Lona Wilder will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, beginning at 2:00 pm.at Grayson Funeral Home in Charlestown, IN. Visitation will be held from 10 am until the service time also on Saturday at the funeral home.

Burial will follow at Charlestown Cemetery in Charlestown.