Betty Jane 'Janie' (Fultz) Wagner

Betty Jane ’Janie’ (Fultz) Wagner, age 93, of Lewistown, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus, on May 7, 2025. 

Born August 22, 1931, in Lewistown, she was the daughter of the late Arthur A. Fultz and Alice Virginia (Miller) Botteicher and step-father, John Botteicher.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four siblings: Sandra Deckard, Donna Robinson, Donald ‘Sonny’ Fultz, and Delores Glant. She is survived by four sisters: Mary ‘Liz” Walker, of York, Jacqueline Eckert, of Lewistown, Shirley Dumm, of Lewistown, and Nancy Wickenheiser, of Dover, and a sister-in-law-, Shirley (Wagner) Landis, formerly of Lewistown.

On March 16, 1951, she married Norman W. ‘Spike’ Wagner, at Grace United Methodist Church in Lewistown, with Rev. C.C. Kreidler officiating.  Spike passed away at age 64 on Nov. 18, 1990.

Janie and Spike raised three daughters: Kathy Bauman (John), twins, Kimbra Bossinger, and Karen Kochenderfer (Dwight), all of Lewistown. She was preceded in death by two sons-in-law, Allan Dodd (1977), and Charles Bossinger (2017).

Janie, was the proud grandmother of nine grandchildren:  Kristen A. Kochenderfer (infant, deceased 1976), Kathleen M. (Kochenderfer) Burke (Geoff), Allana L. (Dodd) Hartung (Michael), Justin Bauman (fiancée, Alison Eckley), Scott K. Kochenderfer (Amanda), Dan M. Kochenderfer (Jillian), Judd Bauman (deceased 2008), Aaron Bossinger (deceased 2021) and Jordan (Bauman) Slagter (Adam).

Gram Wagner was blessed with 14 great-grandchildren: Zachary, Abby, and Maya Burke, Chase and Lucas Hartung, Jacob Bauman, Jonas and Saffron Kochenderfer, Crue, Lila and Aven Kochenderfer, Kennadi Bauman, and Elliott Claire and Lucy Slagter.

Janie was the best wife, mother, and grandmother anyone could ever ask for. She had a heart of gold. She faithfully and lovingly took care of her husband, who was wheelchair bound for 10 years, and her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was primarily a homemaker but did work at Tom Johnson Shoe Store for awhile.  As a wife and mother of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, she enjoyed making hot breakfast and dinners for her daughters and her husband. She was a good cake baker, baking many cakes for her children’s school birthday parties and her famous ‘walnut cake’ for all her Pine Street neighbors at Christmas. She was involved in PTA and many school activities. Mom and Dad attended years of piano recitals performed by daughter Kathy and also faithful followers of the Penn Highlands Band, members of the PHHS booster club, Kim & Karen’s Starettes and Double ‘K’ Strutters’.  They were faithful members of Grace UMC, Lewistown serving in many capacities.

Gram Wagner loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the moon & back. She could always be seen at all of their sporting events, school activities, band concerts, music genres, dance recitals, baptisms, graduations, weddings, holidays, and birthday celebrations. Her grandchildren’s friends called her ‘Gram Wagner’ or ‘G.W.’ As she grew older and her eyesight and hearing began to fail she learned to be content just staying home and listening to their sporting events on the radio.

She was a graduate of Lewistown Granville High School, Class of 1949, commonly known as the 49'ers. Janie was an avid Nittany Lion Football fan never missing a game on TV and attending some games and tailgating at Penn State with her sister Jackie and family. She loved watching game shows, sports, and soaps on TV, listening to music, especially Christmas songs, and reading her Upper Room devotional. She so enjoyed her daughters weekly Wednesday visits at her home on Logan St.

 It was an honor and a privilege for all of us to help take care of her as her health declined. We are so very grateful to God for her unconditional love and support throughout the years. She will be sorely missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. We all will miss you but someday we will meet in heaven with Jesus our Savior and oh what a glorious day that will be.  God is Good; All the Time God is Good. Amen.

A viewing will be held from 11 a.m., to 1 p.m., Thursday, May 15, 2025, with a celebration of life to follow at Grace United Methodist Church, 101 Logan St., Lewistown, with the Rev. Karen McCachren and Rev. Stephanie Rupert officiating. Interment will take place in Mt. Rock Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Janie’s memory to Grace U.M.C., Lewistown.

Arrangements are under the care of Hoenstine Funeral Home, 75 Logan St., Lewistown.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.hellerhoenstinefuneralhome.com.

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