Walter W. Wilt

Walter Wilt, 79, of Mount Pleasant, passed away at home on Thursday, June 23, 2022, after a short bout with lung cancer.

Walter William Wilt was born in Mount Pleasant to Everett Dale and Irene Emeline Lee Wilt. Walter attended Mount Pleasant Community Schools, graduating with the class of 1961. In the fall of 1961, Walter joined the Army stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. He spent six months stationed in Germany. He received awards for rifle sharp shooting and a good conduct medal AOM. Walter received an honorable discharge in the fall of 1964. He was a member of the American Legion.

In November 1964, Walter married Janice Darlene Calhoun, they later divorced. Walter married Winifred Boshart on May 6, 1972, in Wayland. Walter spent his working career as parts manager at Ford dealerships – Sheets Motors and Hines Motors. After retiring from Ford, Walter worked a number of years at Bezoni’s True Value sharing his fix-it talents and years of knowledge with many Mount Pleasant citizens.

Walter joined Pleasant View Mennonite Church in 1972, where he served as trustee for many years. He was a faithful member and enjoyed Sunday school class discussions. Walter raked the half-block lot every fall and spring and kept up all the needed repairs that arose. He could fix almost anything.

Walter’s favorite pastime was working on cars. He meticulously maintained all of the cars he and Wini owned. He owned a 1959 Edsel for 47 years and enjoyed going to Edsel Club activities. His 1968 Torino was a great source of pride. Walter loved Nascar racing, but only ever wanted the Ford cars to win.

In earlier years he hunted squirrel, rabbit, pheasant and geese with his dad. He enjoyed fishing in the creeks around Mount Pleasant. Most importantly, he loved and cared for his family.

Walter is survived by his wife Wini; two daughters and a son, Lisa (Dave) McDowell, Dale Wilt, and Tricia (Ben) Bender; four granddaughters and one grandson, Stephanie (Josh) VanTrump, Kelli (Kyle) Penfield, Michelle (Daryn) Parker, Daniel Bender and Annika Bender; brother Robert (Carol) Wilt; sister Mary Ann Martinez; mother-in-law Myndell Boshart; in-laws Doris and Robert Nelson, Rose and Art Lauer, Phil and Barb Boshart, nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and brother-in-law Frank Martinez.

“Some people have their psychiatrists; others have their garage.”

“You’re born, you die, and in between you work on cars. Wish that we all could be that lucky!”

Visitation will be held 1:00 - 4:00 pm Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. Funeral service will be 1:00 pm Monday, June 27, 2022, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in the Sugar Creek Cemetery, rural Wayland. Military Rites will be conducted by the Henry Country Honor Guard. A memorial fund has been established for EveryStep Hospice.