Jan (Niswander) Wilt

Jan Niswander Wilt, 73, of North Manchester and Romeoville, Illinois, passed away at Timbercrest Healthcare Center in North Manchester on March 20, 2024. The daughter of Dr. R. Emerson and Evelyn (Mullett) Niswander, she was born in Wabash on December 3, 1950.

After graduating from Manchester High School in 1969, Jan attended Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. She then returned home and completed her degree at Manchester College. While attending Manchester she met Philip R. Wilt Jr, and the two were wed on July 30, 1977, at Scalp Level Church of the Brethren in Windber, Pennsylvania. They enjoyed life’s adventures together for the next forty-five years until Philip passed away on January 6, 2023.

Jan was a history enthusiast who found immense joy in pioneer reenactments at Blackberry Farm in Aurora, Illinois and The Chicago Park District, where she taught others about spinning and weaving. She followed in her father’s footsteps of teaching, but chose her own path of becoming an elementary teacher after graduating from Manchester College. She enriched countless young minds over the years and left a lasting impression on many children.  While living in North Manchester, Jan worshiped at Manchester Church of the Brethren, where she was a member. Jan was also gifted when it came to being an artist. Her talents over the years, created many beautiful pieces of art.

The loving memory of Jan Niswander Wilt will be forever cherished by her siblings, Ray (Iris) Niswander Jr., Worthington, Ohio, Mark (Vicki) Niswander, Mahomet, Illinois, and Sue (Clifford) Myers, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and close friends, Diana (Barry) Bucher, North Manchester and Ron (Cristi) Karg, North Manchester.

A celebration of Jan’s life will be held June 1, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Manchester Church of the Brethren Memorial Garden, 1306 Beckley Street, North Manchester, Indiana. Pastor Amy Gall Ritchie will officiate. Burial will be at Manchester Church of the Brethren Memorial Garden.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Jan Niswander Wilt, memorial contributions may be made to the Niswander Fund for Science at Manchester University, 604 East College Avenue, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.

The family of Jan Niswander Wilt has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.