Curtis "Van" Wulliman

Curtis “Van” Wulliman, 88, of Berne, Indiana, passed away on Friday January 31, 2025 at Swiss Village.

He was born on February 14, 1936 to the late Curtis Wulliman and Gertrude (Sprunger) Wulliman in Berne, Indiana.

Van was united in marriage to Connie Minnich on August 3, 1958, and she preceded him in death on August 19, 2003. He married Sharon (Reinhard) Sprunger on October 30, 2004 at First Mennonite Church in Berne, and she survives.

He was a member of First Mennonite Church in Berne where he was a long time usher and greeter.

Van graduated from Berne French High School in 1954. He was employed as a machinist at Franklin Electric for 37 years until his retirement in 1999. Following retirement, he drove a semi for GLM in Berne.

Van and Sharon spent 15 winters in the warm and sunny climate of Florida for which he was thankful. Van eagerly looked forward to meeting daily with his morning coffee gang and was a well-known fixture at the Muselman Wellness Center where he rode the stationery bike for five miles each day. He also enjoyed playing cards with family and friends and also doing daily word searches. Van was known for his handy man skills and was always willing to help family. 

He is survived by his wife, Sharon K. Wulliman of Berne, Indiana; daughter, Kim (Mark) Van Emon of Chesterfield, Missouri; son, Kraig (Rosy) Wulliman of Virginia Beach, Virginia; daughter, Katrina Jones of Berne, Indiana; step-daughter, Michelle Sprunger of Appleton, Wisconsin; step-son, Michael Sprunger of Berne, Indiana; step-daughter-in-law, Chris Sprunger of Berne, Indiana; brother, Roscoe Wulliman of Berne, Indiana; sister, Grace (Ron) Claghorn of Berne, Indiana; sister, Gyneth (Mike) Sutton of Berne, Indiana; sister-in-law, Marge Wulliman of Berne, Indiana; six grandchildren, Nate (Megan) Van Emon, Mamie (Jeff) Bertram, Claire (Austin) Wiggleton, Grant Wulliman, Heath (Lauren) Jones, and Hunter (Alex) Alanis; four step-grandsons, Bryce (Kelsey) Sprunger, Colburn (Danie) Sprunger, Reece Sprunger, and Andrew Sencio; twelve great-grandchildren, Jack, Amelia, Will, Clark, Archie, Isabelle, Victoria, Oliver, Abigail, Warner, Adelyn, and Jaxie; three step-great-grandchildren, Liam, Sawyer, and Emersyn.

Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters, Roberta Bertsch, and Joyce (Tom) Wilkins; brother, Clyde Wulliman; sister-in-law, Lois Wulliman; and step-son, Matthew Sprunger.

A funeral service for Van will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 7, 2025 at the First Mennonite Church in Berne, Indiana with Pastor Jim Schwartz officiating. A burial service will follow at the M.R.E. Cemetery, Berne.

Family and friends will be received from 3-7 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Yager-Kirchofer Chapel and from 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Friday at the church.

Preferred memorials can be made to Swiss Village or First Mennonite Missions.