RIP: Actress Lyn Wilde dies at 93

Lyn Cathcart Oberlink
Oct. 10, 1922 - Sept. 11, 2016


Lyn Cathcart Oberlink, 93, of Michigan City, formerly of California, passed away peacefully at 8:15 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016 at Franciscan Communities Hospice, Michigan City. She was born on Oct. 10, 1922, in East St. Louis, Illinois, to James and Nell (Bonham) Wilde.

Lyn and her twin sister began singing in church, and by their teens were singing hymns for their local radio station. In 1942, the twins made their film debuts, as vocalist for the Charlie Barnet Band, performing one song in the Harriet Hilliard film Juke Box Jenny. They also had the chance to travel to sing with the Bob Crosby Band. Lyn and Lee appeared in the Judy Garland film Presenting Lily Mars in 1942. They had also played roles in Andy Hardy’s Blonde Trouble and Twice Blessed. The sisters appeared in nine films together up until 1949. Lyn continued her film career appearing in six more films until 1953. She was Stage Director for the Miss Indiana Pageant and judge in the Miss America preliminary contests throughout Indiana, and active in the PEO Sisterhood, Tri Kappa Sorority, and Beach Garden Club. Lyn worked at Sears, as charm school instructor and as a model in Chicago and South Bend.

In 1942, she married James Edward “Jimmy” Cathcart, and in 1973 she married Dwight Oberlink, both preceded her in death.

Also preceding her in death were her parents; twin sister, Lee Cathcart; two sisters, Helen Synder and Jeanette Irby; and one brother, Oscar Wilde. Surviving are two children, James Carter (Martha) Cathcart of New Jersey, and Lee Ann (Gene) Gilmer of Michigan City; three step children, Peter (Mia) Oberlink of Connecticut, Judy Kirk of Kansas City, Missouri, and Linda Barts of Florida; four grandchildren, Jamee Fields, McKenzie Cathcart, Carter James Cathcart, and Nicole Zoppie; seven step grandchildren; three great-granddaughters; and one great-grandson.

There will be no service held. Lakeview Funeral Home & Crematory, 247 W. Johnson Rd., La Porte, (219) 362-3100 is caring for the arrangements.