Dr. Wilford Palmer Stratten, 81, of Terre Haute, Indiana, peacefully passed away on February 8, 2024, while surrounded by family.

Born in Crown Pointe, Indiana, to George Stratten and Pearl (Struble) Marcum, Wilford was the beloved eldest sibling to eight sisters. Wilford was fiercely passionate about religion, spirituality, and the pursuit of knowledge, and earned his PhD from Indiana University.

After a long career as a life sciences professor at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, during which he wrote and co-wrote both textbooks and scholarly articles, Wilford retired early to open his own church, Aquarian Ministries. There, he continued to explore is love of religious studies and share his knowledge with a small but devoted congregation.

Wilford spent most of his later years enjoying his dogs and the beautiful land around the off-grid home he designed and built himself in rural Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Patsy Stratten, and his loving partner, Virginia Salb. He leaves behind his seven children, Eric (Meagan) Stratten, Kimberly Stratten, Aaron (Julee) Stratten, Daniel (Jennifer) Stratten, Joshua Stratten, Deborah (Bobby) Starkey, and Leshia (Brian) Stolt; his nine grandchildren, Kai Stratten, Brant (Jodi) Frey, Madelyne Stratten, Cole Stratten, Kaylee Wheeler, Rylan Kuberski, Jack Stolt, Jonah Stratten, and Mary Stolt; and seven sisters, Shirley (Jack) McKeon, Pamela (Fred) Lindsay, Peggy (Roger) Anderson, Karen (Tom) Fugate, Denise Krumm, Rebecca (Michael) Sferruzza, and Yvonne Abbott. The family thanks the caring staff at Harrison's Crossing Assisted Living and Gentiva Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.