Obituary of John E. Wilt

Father John E. Wilt, retired priest of the diocese, dies at age 80 Father John E. Wilt, a priest of the Diocese of Greensburg for 54 years, died Dec. 4, 2011, at St. Anne Home, Greensburg. He was 80. Father Wilt was born March 4, 1931, in Wilmerding to the late Edward and Carolyn (Yost) Wilt. He moved to the Detroit area in the mid 1930's where he attended primary and secondary school and college. He completed his priestly formation at Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe. Father Wilt was ordained a priest Mary 25, 1957, at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, by Bishop Hugh L. Lamb. Father Wilt served as parochial vicar of St. John the Baptist Parish, Scottdale (1957-58); St. Joseph Parish, New Kensington (1958-62) and Holy Family Parish, Latrobe (1962-64). He served in the Diocese of Sicuani, Peru, the Diocese of Greensburg's sister diocese, from 1964-68. He is the last surviving diocesan priest to have served in Sicuani. Upon his return from Peru, Father Wilt served as administrator pro tem and administrator of the former Sacred Heart Parish, Dawson (1968-70). Father Wilt was appointed to his first pastorate in 1970 at St. Aloysius Parish, Dunbar, where he served until 1974. He also served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Derry (1974-84); the former St. Mary Parish, Ford City (1984-86) and Holy Family Parish, Seward, and its former chapels in Bolivar and New Florence. He retired from active ministry Oct. 30, 2008, after nearly 22 years as pastor in Seward. In addition to his parish assignments, Father Wilt also served as a notary in the Tribunal and as diocesan director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society (1974-85). In a feature article in The Catholic Accent on the occasion of his 50th anniversary of ordination, Father Wilt said he enjoyed everything about the priesthood. "The priesthood is a chance to be helpful," he said. "Very few people get these opportunities." In addition to his parents, Father Wilt was preceded in death by his brother Donald and sister Phyllis McHall. He is survived by three siblings, Edward (Jo) Wilt of Macomb, MI; Jean Karol of Richmond, MI and Carolyn (Wilt) Rabine, and her husband, James, of Grand Blanc, MI along with many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at the Richard C. Stuart Funeral Home, 392 East Philadelphia St., in Armagh. The funeral Mass will be Wed., Dec. 7, at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Parish, 425 Bridge St., in Seward, Monsignorr Lawrence P. Persico Celebrant. Future interment in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery .