Michael Ray Wilder

In loving memory of Michael Ray Wilder who died on March 7, 2024, in Georgetown, KY. Mike was born in Bad Axe, Michigan while his father trained at the Air Force Base during the Korean War. His parents, the late Joyce Sellars and Ronald Clay Wilder, soon returned home to Cumberland, KY. where Mike grew up. He graduated from Cumberland High School in 1971.

Mike’s life was filled with various passions. During high school, he played baseball and was a member of the high school band. He loved playing guitar and was in various local music groups as a young man. As an adult, he was an avid fisherman and a weekend golfer. He loved the Kentucky Wildcats and spent as much time as he could at Keeneland. Mike also treasured opportunities to introduce his friends from other states to the horse farms and Bourbon distilleries of the Kentucky he so loved.

Mike enjoyed a long and meaningful career in the coal industry. He started his career at Island Creek Coal company with cherished colleagues who became life-long friends. He also worked at MidCo Gas Company; IGC Coal Company and upon his death, Mike was working for SunCoke Energy. He had also been a long-time member of the Lexington Coal Exchange.

Beyond his professional achievements, Mike enjoyed being a member of a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joyce and Ronald Wilder as well as cherished grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. He is survived by his sisters Ronna (Robert) Love and Kathie (Peter) Winograd and his brothers Keith (Jan) and Philip (Nick) Wilder, his niece Megan (Gary) Sukrattanawong and their daughter Roux and his nephew Matt (Mary) Love and their daughters Riley and Parker. He also is survived by numerous loved family members and friends.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at noon on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Johnson’s Funeral Home conducted by Pastor Andrew Singh. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Georgetown First Methodist Church, PO Box 1089, Georgetown, KY 40324.

The Cumberland Valley Funeral Home is honored to share this courtesy obituary and ask that you please keep the Wilder Family in your prayers.

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