MEDWAY – John A. Wiltse, 69, died unexpectedly Saturday, July 11, 2009. He was born March 9, 1940, in Caro, Mich., the son of Edward and Dorothy (Howarth) Wiltse. John was a graduate of Lake Orion High School, Michigan, Class of 1958, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Western Michigan University, Class of 1964. He served in the Peace Corps from July 1964 to September 1966, traveling extensively in the area of Western Pakistan. When his service in the Peace Corps was completed, he came to Millinocket and was employed in the engineering department at Great Northern Paper Co., for 36 years from 1967 to 2003. He worked for D & S Engineering, Millinocket, as a staff engineer until he retired in 2006. John owned a home near Sugarloaf and skied 128 days this past season. He spent many happy hours, days and years with family and friends on those slopes. He was an avid Michigan Football fan in good times and bad. John particularly liked the family reunions at Lake Michigan or Basswoods and the homecomings at the University of Michigan. He enjoyed spending time outdoors with his family and friends and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. John is survived by his wife, Diane Reed Wiltse of Medway; his son, Michael Wiltse and Sheryl Spear; his daughter, Jenny Wiltse and Erik McClure, all of Carrabassett Valley; three brothers, Lee Wiltse and his wife, Leonore, of Pittsford, N.Y., Robert Wiltse and his wife, Judy, of Union, Ky., and Carroll Wiltse of Hinford, Mich.; his most precious sister, Ann Bonevich and her husband, Don, of Kalamazoo, Mich.; his mother-in-law, MaryRuth Reed of Millinocket; two stepdaughters, Kelley Cram and Carrie Cram, and their children, Zack, Ethan, Kamryn, Payton and Nicholis; a brother-in-law, Carl M. Reed of East Millinocket; several nieces, nephews and cousins, many dear and wonderful friends. Friends are invited to visit with the family 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket, where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, July 16, with the Rev. Carolyn Bradley officiating. Gifts in memory of John may be sent to Special Olympics Maine, attention: Linda, 125 John Roberts Road, No. 19, South Portland, ME 04106. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.
JOHN A. WILTSE
