Jacalyn Wilson, 69, of rural Wabash, Indiana, passed peacefully at 6:45 am, Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Wellbrooke of Wabash. She was born on January 10, 1957, in Wabash, Indiana, to Fredrick K. “Bud” Arven and Sally (Kendall) Arven.
Jackie was a 1975 graduate of Southwood High School and went on to earn her Associate’s Degree from Vincennes University in 1977. She married the love of her life, Gary Wilson, on June 7, 1980, at the LaFontaine Christian Church. Jackie worked at The Paper of Wabash County for Wayne Rees, and was also a licensed realtor and appraiser for Dickos, Peterson, and Metz Realty, Crossroads Bank, and Beacon Credit Union. A woman of deep faith and community spirit, Jackie was a member of the Richvalley Church and the Tri Kappa Sorority. She was also a proud supporter of the Arts & Entertainment at the Honeywell Center. Jackie found joy in music, attending concerts, and spending time going on vacation to the beach. For several years, she served her community as a school bus driver for MSD of Wabash County. Above all, Jackie cherished her family. Her greatest happiness came from being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and she poured her heart into every moment spent with her loved ones.
She is survived by her husband, Gary Wilson of Wabash; three children: Abigail (Luke) Allen of Mulberry, Indiana, Amelia (Steven) Siders of Lagro, Indiana, and Derrick (Jenny) Wilson of Wabash; seven grandchildren: Hannah (Justin Booth) Wilson, Emma Wilson, Ava Wilson, Cooper Allen, Harper Allen, Hattie Siders, and Millie Siders; mother, Sally Arven of LaFontaine, brother Brian K. Arven of LaFontaine, and two sisters, Teresa (Ralph) Skaggs of Bluffton, Indiana, and Debbie (Mike) McKillip of Wabash. She was preceded in death by her father, and grandson, Miles Allen.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Jack Suits officiating. Family will receive friends from 3:00 – 7:00 pm Wednesday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is Honeywell Center Arts & Entertainment for kids programming. The family would like to thank all of her care takers during her final years.
The memorial guest book for Jackie may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jacalyn Wilson, please visit our floral store.