Arthur M. "Art" Wilt

            Arthur M. “Art” Wilt, 96, of Altoona went home to be with the Lord Sunday evening August 13, 2023, at his residence.

            He was born November 14, 1926, in Altoona, a son of the late Forrest A. and Hazel M. (Perry) Wilt. He was twice married, first on December 30, 1954, in Long Beach, CA, to Josephine M. “Jo” Brumbaugh who preceded him in death December 28, 2011, then on August 31, 2013, in Altoona, to Patricia L. “Pat” Ickes who preceded him in death March 11, 2023.

            Surviving are his son Jody M. Wilt (Sandy Miller) of Altoona; four stepchildren, stepson Thomas R. Ickes of Greenville, SC, stepson Scott A. Ickes (Amy) of Davisburg, MI, stepdaughter Susan D. Ritchey (Jerry) of Altoona, stepdaughter Carol A. Miller (Tony) of Altoona; eight grandchildren, Theresa Blome (Steve), Melissa Burrell (Jeff), Wendy Ickes, Travis Ickes (Carrie Daut), Megan Ritchey (Josh Souder), Patrick Ickes, Jason Miller, Casey Miller; four great grandchildren, Taylor, Amy, Lia, and Landon; a brother, Thomas F. Wilt of Altoona, sister-in-law Nancy Rabuck of Fairless Hills, and sister-in-law Lois Harris of Altoona; and numerous extended family members.

            Art was preceded in death by two infant brothers, Robert Wilt, and Alfred Wilt, and a sister, Patricia Wilt, and a sister-in-law, Joanne Wilt.

            Mr. Wilt was a member of the Lakemont United Methodist Church, Altoona.

            He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1944 and served until 1946, he then returned home and graduated in 1947 from Altoona High School. Following graduation, he worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad for two years. He then re-enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1949 and served 22 ½ years, retiring in 1967 as a Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate. His years of service included serving during WWII, Korea, and the Vietnam wars where he served on various ships (mainly mine-sweepers). He attended Leadership School, Instructor School, and served as a Company Commander at Bainbridge, MD bootcamp. He also served as a Navy recruiter at the Altoona Recruiting Station.

            After his Navy retirement, Art was employed by Sears, Roebuck and Co., and the J.C. Penney Co. Following, he then was employed as a dispatcher by the Logan Township Police Department, retiring in 1989 with 15 years’ service.

            Art was a member of the Iaia Post, American Legion; the James L. Noble Post, VFW; the Disabled American Veterans; and the Fleet Reserve Association.

            He was a member of Hiram Lodge #616, F. & A. M.; and Jaffa Shriners where he belonged to the Jaffa Chanters.

            He enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, and watching football, and he also enjoyed being a Cub Scout leader for many years.

            Friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday August 17, 2023, and 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday August 18, 2023, at Myers-Somers Funeral Home, Inc., 501 Sixth Avenue, Altoona where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday with Pastor Tim Guyer officiating.

            Interment will be made at Greenwood Cemetery, Altoona.

            In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations please be made to Casey’s Café at www.solvingthepuzzlepa.com; which, inspired by Art’s grandchildren, will employ persons with special needs; Lakemont United Methodist Church, 340 Lotz Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602; or Make-A-Wish America, 1702 East Highland Avenue, Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85016.

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