All Obituaries

Scott Edward Specht Jr., 39, of Burnham, passed away Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at his parents’ home. Born Nov. 12, 1983, in Lewistown, he was the son of Scott E. and Terri (Wilkins) Specht, of Burnham, who survive. Scott was preceded in death by: paternal grandfather, John W. Specht Jr.; maternal grandparents, David L. Wilkins Sr. and Florence G. Wilkins Zannino; uncles, David L. Wilkins Jr. and Steven A. Specht; and a companion, Heather Burris. In addition to his parents, Scott...

Hope L. Reich, 72, of McClure, passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at home. Born February 17, 1951, in Lewistown, she was the daughter of the late Nelson P. and Marian E. (Fenstermacher) Fitzgerald. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by; children, Denise Reich, and Nelson Fitzgerald; siblings, Rose Fitzgerald, Rick Fitzgerald, and Carmen Michael Fitzgerald. She is survived by; daughter, Jennifer L. Stundon and husband, Sean Jr., of Milroy, grandchildren, Cassandra Roberts,...

Miriam E. Messerman, 94, of Lewistown, passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at home. Born May 19, 1929, in Lewistown, she was the daughter of the late Nevin F. and Estella (Smith) Gutshall. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her sisters, Janice Dalbac and Ruth Johnson; half-sisters, Mildred Specht, Sara Showalter, Helen Parks, Sara Mae Moir, Mary Jane Miller, Julia Brosius and Myra Exler; half-brothers, Elwood Rarick, Ralph Gutshall, Sherwood Gutshall, Fred...

Margaret Emma “Peggy” Anderson, 85, of Lewistown, passed away at 5:07 a.m., Monday, September 25, 2023, at Greenwood Village. Born April 8, 1938, in Delaware County, outer Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Arthur and Hazel (Heller) Black. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Christa Baitsell, and her sisters, Janice Laird, Sally Buckley, and Mary Jane Black. Peggy is survived by: loving husband, M. Eugene “Gene” Anderson,...

Robert James McCalips, 65, of Oliver Township, Lewistown, passed away Thursday, September 21, 2023, at his home. Born May 21, 1958, in Lewistown, he was a son of the late Harry and Goldie (Casner) McCalips. Robert is survived by: his wife, Diane (Bedlyon) McCalips; daughter, Kimberly VanHorn and fiancé, Troy Rothrock, of Lewistown; son, Tyler McCalips, of Lewistown; granddaughters, Alexis and Karlina VanHorn; brother, Steve McCalips and wife, Michele, of McVeytown; and many nieces...

Anna ‘Margie’ Wagner, 87, formerly of Lewistown, passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at Embassy of Hearthside in State College. Born February 4, 1936, in Reedsville, she was the daughter of the late Ross L. and Anna (Specht) Maben. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband, Robert W. Wagner, who passed in 1991, and a son, Paul E.  Kanour. She is survived by a daughter, Debra Sobota and husband, Andy, of Ohio; siblings, Beverly Pearson and husband,...

James Richard Wheeler, 93, formerly of Burnham, passed away Saturday, September 16, 2023, peacefully at his home. Born November 5, 1929, in Lewistown, he was the son of the late James A. and Ruth L. (Hunter) Wheeler. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, J. Arlene (Kreps) Wheeler) whom he married August 7, 1949; and brothers, Wallace R. Wheeler, and Joseph W. Wheeler. James is survived by; children, Beverly A. (Bob) Muckel, of Lewistown, Sharon L. (Bob) Depew,...

Amy B. Ammerman, 57, of Lewistown, passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at William Penn Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center. Born on March 31, 1966, in Lewistown, she was a daughter of David and Carol (Meyers) Hockenberry, who survive. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Michael J. Ammerman, whom she married in 1985; children, Elizabeth Ammerman, Ethan M. Ammerman, Ashley Ammerman, all of Lewistown; grandchildren, Levi Marks, Malachi Marks, Madison Goss,...

George L. Wilt, 65, of Lewistown, passed away at 12:26 a.m., Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Born Nov. 30, 1957, in Lewistown, he was a son of the late Lee G. “Sonny” and Mary E. (Lancaster) Wilt. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Noel and Hiram Wilt. George is survived by: his son, Derek Wilt Sr. and wife, Ashley, of Lewistown; six grandchildren, Derek Wilt Jr., Bristol Wilt, Dax Wilt, Katie Wilt, Chris...

Esther E. Blessing, 87, of Lewistown, passed away Friday, September 15, 2023, at Brookline Manor. Born August 13, 1936, in Lewistown, she was the daughter of the late Harry Stanton Blessing Jr. and Esther Estella (Billett) Blessing. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Harry S. Blessing III. She is survived by her niece, Aleta K. Harpster and husband, Mark, of Burnham, and a nephew, Lewis E. Blessing, of Mifflin, grand nephews, Curtis Harpster and wife,...