Roberta Ann (Guinivan) Warntz

Roberta Ann (Guinivan) Warntz, 80, entered her eternal home at 1:50 p.m., Monday, October 23, 2017, at the Riverwoods Senior Living Community in Lewisburg, with her daughter, Lisa, by her side.

Born October 16, 1937, in Lewistown, she was a daughter of the late Robert Albert Smith and Grace (DeArment) Smith Gentzel.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Peggy L. (Smith) Wilson in Aug. 2016.  

Roberta is survived by: her husband, Rev. Melvin F. Warntz, of Lewisburg, whom she married Jan. 17, 2004; daughter, Lisa A. (Guinivan) Shellenberger and her husband, Michael, of New Cumberland; two granddaughters, Megan Shellenberger, of Port Orange, Fla., and Natalie Shellenberger, of New Cumberland; great-grandson, Cole Lindgren, of Port Orange, Fla.; her brother-in-law, Martin Wilson, of Thompsontown; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and close cousins.

She was a member of the Freedom Avenue United Methodist Church in Burnham, where she held various positions, including membership in the Women’s Society.

She was a 1956 graduate of the former Chief Logan High School in Lewistown.  Following graduation, she worked for a time at the G. C. Murphy Store (five and dime), Lewistown. 

As a single parent, Roberta wanted to do what was best for her and her daughter.  In March 1973, she enrolled in the Juniata-Mifflin Counties Area Vocational Technical School’s Licensed Practical Nursing Program and upon graduation, began working at the Lewistown Hospital from April 1974 until her retirement in June 1998.  She also worked part-time at the Jamesway store in the mid- to late 80’s to help support her family. 

Roberta enjoyed every minute spent with her daughter and granddaughters.  During Lisa’s high school years, she was active in the Lewistown Area High School Panther Marching Band Boosters and served as one of the traveling nurses. 

She loved attending her granddaughters’ school and sports activities, including band concerts, cheerleading, dance recitals, and softball games, and often helped with girl scouting events. 

When Roberta got word that she was going to be a great-grandmother, the news came as such a blessing to her.  Her great-grandson, Cole Landon Lindgren entered her life on April 14, 2016, and she later became affectionately known as “Gigi”.

Her hobbies were gardening, cross stitching, scrapbooking, painting and spending time with friends in the craft studio at Riverwoods.  She never passed up a yard sale or thrift store.  She quickly became a friend to everyone she encountered and will be dearly missed.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Home, 108 First Ave., Burnham, with Chaplain Peter Geschwindner officiating.  A viewing is scheduled prior to the service from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Interment will take place at Black Oak Ridge Cemetery, McClure.

In lieu of flowers, memorials for Roberta may be made to:  Hospice of Evangelical, 235 Hospital Dr., Lewisburg, PA 17837; Albright Care Benevolence Fund, 90 Maplewood Dr., Lewisburg, PA 17837; or Freedom Avenue UMC, 511 Freedom Ave., Burnham, PA 17009.

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