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Williamsport Sun-Gazette
Friday December 20, 2002
George M. Wilt
George M. Wilt, 88, formerly of 112 E. Penn St., Muncy, died Tuesday
, Dec. 17, 2002, at Sycamore Manor, where he resided the past six year
s.
His wife of 67 years, the former Dorothy L. Finder, died Nov. 1, 2001.
He was a 1932 graduate of Muncy High School, where he excelled in foot
ball, basketball and baseball. He was later named to the Muncy High Sc
hool Hall of Fame for his athletic achievements.
He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois
. While in college, he was a member of the Theta XI Fraternity and pla
yed on the baseball team with his brother, Bob.
In September 1936 he returned to Muncy both as a teacher and a coach
. With the onset of World War II, he joined the U.S. Navy and served i
the Pacific Theater. During the war, his father died and he returne
d home to help his mother and brother, Don, run the hardware store.
He built the BowlArena (now Cloverleaf Lanes) in 1948, which he owne
d and operated until February 1964 when he sold it to return to Munc
y High School as a Physical Education teacher. While at the high schoo
l, he coached football, basketball and tennis. Under his direction, th
e tennis team won several consecutive league championships.
George played in and managed the former West Branch Baseball League fo
several years and also served as Muncy’s community recreation direct
or for eight years. He was an active bowler for many years, winning th
e Williamsport Bowling Association all-event title in 1952. In 1985, h
e was inducted into the West Branch Valley Chapter of the PA Sports Ha
ll of Fame and later joined the selection committee for the Hall of Fa
me. In 1990, he was named executive director of the Bowling Proprietor
s Association of PA.
On Nov. 2, 1997, he received a citation from Representatives Tom Demps
ey and Brett Feese for his exemplary record of service to area sports.
He was a member of the Roland Ritter Post #268 American Legion, Muncy
, and the Edward Smith Post #3428 V.F.W., Muncy, and served as a pas
t President of the Muncy Rotary Club. He was a member of the Masonic L
odge #299, F & AM, Muncy and the Williamsport Consistory.
He was a member of St. Andrew Evangelical Lutheran Church, Muncy, wher
e he sang in the choir.
Born July 27, 1914, in Millersburg, he was the son of Samuel B. and Be
tha I. Frey Wilt.
Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Susanne Wilt-Cusick and Warre
Cusick of Portland, Oregon; and two nephews, Mike Wilt of Harrisbur
g and Robert Wilt of Muncy.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday at Wallis-Grenoble
’s, 121 S. Main St., Muncy. Officiating will be the Rev. Mark Miller o
f Raleigh, North Carolina, a long-time friend whom, while in high scho
ol, was coached by George. Burial will be in Muncy Cemetery at the con
venience of the family.
A reception of friends will follow the service until 4 p.m. at Orlando
’s, 8 S. Main St., Muncy.
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