Joseph Thomas Wilt Sr.

Joseph Thomas Wilt Sr., 79, of Lewistown, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 10:14 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at Mount Nittany Medical Center.

He was the son of Lee David and Kathryn (Grenoble) Wilt.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: an infant son; and 12 siblings, Lee Wilt, Virginia Wilt, Betty (Wilt) St. John, Jeremiah Wilt, Dorothy (Wilt) Foulk, Samuel Wilt, Jacob Wilt, Rebecca (Wilt) Moad, Jess Wilt, Abel Wilt, John Wilt and David Wilt.

Joe is survived by: his wife, Deborah (Albright) Wilt, whom he married May 31, 1969; children, Joseph Thomas Wilt Jr., Sean Wilt and wife, Vedra, Kyle Wilt and wife, Kristin, all of Lewistown, and Stephanie Koenig and husband, Chris, of Reedsville; eight grandchildren, Michael Bratton and wife, Liz, Savanah, Sophie, Lyndsey, Madelyn and Gauge Wilt, and Vivian and Harper Koenig; great-grandchildren, Carter and Colt Bratton; and a sister, Barbara (Wilt) Deamer.  Also surviving are: sisters-in-law, Doris, Nancy, Dorothy, Nancy, Annie, Joyce and Connie Wilt, and Tina and Sally Albright.  Surviving brothers-in-law are: Roy Deamer, and Mark and David Albright; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He graduated from Chief Logan High School and earned degrees from Berean Bible School and Thompson Institute.  Later, he received schooling for nuclear energy.

Joe owned and operated Wilt's Vending Service from 1979 to 2017.  Prior to that, he was a nuclear operator at Three Mile Island, an employee of General Motors, a machinist at Lenape Forge, and a carpenter with Rollason Construction.  He was always a dreamer and an entrepreneur.

Joe was a member of the Lewistown Kiwanis Club and NRA.  Joe's foremost passion was immersing himself in the design and construction of new building projects.  He enjoyed traveling and time in the woods with his family.  It didn't matter whether they were hunting, riding snowmobiles and ATV'S, exploring on family vacations, or just cutting trees, Joe could be counted on to do something memorable!  Joe was a fan of live thretre and he and Debbie were known to take in a show from time to time.  Sometimes, just to "blow the stink off," the two of them would hit the road for a long scenic drive with no particular destination.  He also loved being with his grandchildren and often commented on each of their unique qualities.

Joe tried to live his life on earth to glorify the Lord.  He knew this life is temporary and meant to be lived that way.  As anyone who was blessed to be a part of his life knows, he would help anyone at any time and would go without if you were in need.  He taught these principles to his children and grandchildren who learned through his beautiful example.

A viewing will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, at the New Life Church, 101 North Beech Street, Burnham.  The funeral service will follow at 4 p.m. with Rev. John Walters and Rev. Bernard Carpenter officiating.

Private interment will take place Monday, Aug. 5, at the Wilt Family Cemetery in McClure.

Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Homes, Woodlawn, Lewistown, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joseph's memory may be made to the New Life Church, Attn: Building Fund, 101 North Beech Street, Burnham, PA 17009.    

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