Peggy J. Wilson

Peggy JoAnn Wilson—devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother (great and great-great), and steadfast woman of faith—passed away at home on July 5, 2025, in Merrillville, Indiana, at the age of 94. Born to Edward and Daisy Gordon in Lansing, Illinois, Peggy was the heart of the Wilson family for nearly three quarters of a century. On December 28, 1949, she married Richard Joseph Wilson; their remarkable love story spanned almost 75 years. Peggy often said she wanted nothing more than “to be with my sweetheart Rich in heaven,” and today that hope is fulfilled. Peggy’s life was woven—quite literally—out of creativity and care. A seamstress, she made most of her children’s clothes when they were young, stitching love into every hem. She delighted in collecting dolls and the soft green glow of vintage jadeite housewares—pieces she displayed with pride and shared with anyone who showed interest. Long before healthy eating was fashionable, Peggy embraced nutrition as a way of life; her disciplined habits and active spirit carried her into her mid-90s “with no aches and pains,” as she said just days before her passing. Faith anchored everything Peggy did. She was a lifelong follower of Jesus Christ, for decades at First Baptist Church of Hammond—where she served as President of the Women’s Missionary Society and taught Sunday School to young women—and later at Bethel Church in Crown Point. She especially loved singing the old hymns of the faith, and her lovely voice, raised in songs like “Blessed Assurance,” “Dwelling in Beulah Land,” and “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” will echo in the memories of those who worshiped beside her. Peggy is survived by three of her five children—Laura Ostergard (Dan) of Stewartville, MN; Carolyn Wilson of Merrillville, IN; and Scott Neal Wilson of Chattanooga, TN—and was preceded in death by her beloved husband Richard and her devoted sons David and Jim. Her legacy lives on in her grandchildren: Heidi Owens of Lakeville, MN; Butch Bardwell of Stewartville, MN; Holly Rakovan (fiancé Kevin Netherton) of Fort Worth, TX; Richard Wilson Bardwell of Sioux Falls, SD; Samo Zeal (Janelle) of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh; and Micah Ostergard of Minneapolis, MN. She was great-grandmother to Austin, Tyler, Nick, Ella, Rafe, Brett, Oumar, Kadia, Kalle, and Aria, and great-great-grandmother to Willow. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Peggy and Richard’s daughter Carolyn, whose devoted care—managing meals, medical appointments, and day-to-day needs—enabled them to remain in their home and live out their final years with dignity, grace, and the comfort of familiar surroundings. They are also deeply thankful to the caring neighbors and friends who watched over Peggy and Richard with such kindness. A graveside farewell will be held at Memory Lane Memorial Park & Funeral Home (6305 W. Lincoln Highway, Crown Point) on Friday, July 11 at 10:30 a.m. Peggy will be dearly missed, but her legacy of faith, family and strength will live on in those who knew her.

Tributes

Peggy J. Wilson

October 5, 1930 - July 5, 2025