Clara Karleen Wilson

Clara Karleen Wilson, 86, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025, at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital in Dover, Ohio, after a period of declining health. Born April 26, 1938 in Salem Twp., Tuscarawas County, Ohio, near Port Washington, she was the last surviving child of the late Clyde Lewis and Florence Elizabeth (Reidenbach) Brick, having been preceded in death by her siblings, Clyde Melvin “Mel” Brick and Dorothy Elizabeth Dudley.

Karleen was a 1956 graduate of Port Washington High School where she had been a cheerleader for the Purple Riders. Just a few months after her graduation, she married the love of her life, William Russell Wilson, Jr., on July 27, 1956. Together, they enjoyed nearly 37 years of marriage until his passing on September 30, 1993.

In addition to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker, Karleen will be remembered as a sales associate at Conley’s and Big Wheel, as well as for her employment at Bates Metal. She was a member of the former Grant Street United Methodist Church in Dennison where she had served her congregation as the treasurer for many years. In retirement, Karleen spent 24 happy years as a resident of Warwick Manor near Tuscarawas and loved spending time with her friends at the Uhrichsville Senior Center.

Karleen and Russ were blessed with a daughter, Susan Ann (Ron) Abbuhl; three grandchildren, Craig (Heidi) Abbuhl and Lisa (Jim) Heuser who survive her and Shannon Abbuhl Wigfield who preceded her in death; grandson-in-law, Rick Wigfield; and great-grandchildren, Hunter and C.J. Abbuhl, Riley, Evan, and Leah Wigfield, and Ashleigh and Alexis Heuser. Her surviving family is completed by her sisters-in-law, Donna Brick and Alma May, and many nieces and nephews.

Rev. Carol McCartney will officiate a 1:00 p.m. funeral on Friday, January 31, 2025 at the R. K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison, Ohio. Karleen’s family will receive callers at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, prior to the service. Interment will follow beside her beloved husband in Uhrichsville’s Union Cemetery. Those wishing to honor her memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to their favorite charity.