Wilmer Lee Cameron

Wilmer Lee Cameron passed away April 25, 2024. He was born May 26, 1932, Rushville, Indiana, to Paul and Grace (Coons) Cameron, he was a lifelong resident of Rushville until moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, to be near family. He was active in the community from an early age. He worked as a paper delivery boy for the Rushville Republican; as a Boy Scout, he served in the honor guard for the funeral of 1940 Republican Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie; in high school, he was active in Hi Y, local charities, and worked at Waite Drugs starting at the soda counter, then becoming a Pharmacist Apprentice in his sophomore year of high school. In 1950, he began pharmacy school at Butler University, but his studies were interrupted by the Korean War. He joined the U.S. Navy and became a Navy medical hospital corpsman. He served aboard the flagship USS Rochester, and was stationed in Nagoya, Japan. During his service, he earned the naval rank of Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer 1st Class and had the honor of being attached to and wearing the uniform of all four branches of the U.S. Armed Services. Upon the conclusion of his military service, he resumed pharmacy studies at Purdue University where he became a member of Kappa Delta Rho. At Purdue, he met Rita Ritchie of St. Louis, MO. They married on Thanksgiving Day in 1958, before graduating the following spring. He returned to Rushville and Waite Drugs as a pharmacist and then owner. As a small business owner, he remained active in the community. During the mid-1960's he served on Rushville City Council. In 1975, he was a founding member and Chairman of the Rush County Players. He was also a member of the Masonic Phoenix Lodge 62, York Scottish Rite, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, the Elks Club, and the Old Gents Literary Society. In retirement, he became actively involved with the Rush County Historical Society serving on the Board of Directors and dedicating hours of service to support the Historical Society and Gowdy Museum. He was proceeded in death by his parents and brother Frank Marlin Cameron, Tucson, Arizona. He is survived by his wife Rita, Cincinnati, and children Craig (Mary), Cincinnati, Chris, Columbus, Ohio, Cynthia (Peter Pyskacek), Chicago, Illinois, five grandsons, two great-grandsons. Cremation and private services were by his wishes. Memorial gifts may be made to the Rush County Historical Society Fund, in memory of Wilmer Cameron, online at https://rush.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1211 or by mailing a check payable to Rush County Historical Society, P.O. Box 302, Rushville, Indiana, 46173.

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Wilmer Lee Cameron

May 26, 1932 - April 25, 2024