John A. Wilson, 82, of Philipsburg died Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Born Oct. 4, 1933, he was a son of the late Richard and Ann (Hollenback) Wilson.
Mr. Wilson was a 1951 graduate of the former Philipsburg High School. He was a talented baseball player and one of the best pitchers to come out of the Philipsburg area.
His prowess on the mound led him to be drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. They assigned him to the Bristol Twins, (then) a Class D, Appalachian League affiliate of Pittsburgh.
However, his professional baseball career would be cut short, as he was drafted into the army and would serve as a military policeman during the Korean War era.
He was married in July of 1953 to the former Kathryn Liakopoulos, who preceded him in death on Feb. 17, 2016.
After his service in the army, Mr. Wilson enrolled and graduated from the Altoona Business School, Altoona. He would then be employed as a certified public accountant with Walter Hopkins & Co., Philipsburg, until his retirement.
He enjoyed sports and he was an avid golfer throughout his life. He was a member of the former Philipsburg Country Club for more than 40 years. He was currently a member of the B.P.O. Elks and Country Club, No. 1173, Philipsburg.
In addition to his parents and wife, Kathryn, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Ann Kay Wilson.
He is survived by one daughter, Wendy Semuskie and her husband, Greg, of Gaithersburg, Md., and two sons, Gregory A. Wilson and his wife, Christine, of Philipsburg and Christopher W. Wilson and his wife, Stacey of Middletown, Md.
He is also survived by one brother, Richard R. “Moe” Wilson and his wife, Barbara of State College; seven grandchildren, Jesse Wilson of McKeesport, Lauren Willis and her husband, Mike of Philipsburg, Bethany Wilson and her companion, Tim Rioux of Boston, Mass., and Elliott, Sam, Kathryn, and Stanley Semuskie, all of Gaithersburg, Md.; a great-grandson, Bo Winfield Willis of Philipsburg; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home, 719 E. Spruce St., Philipsburg, with Pastor Noel Meyers, officiating.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Military honors will be accorded by the Moshannon Valley Independent Honor Guard.
Burial will be in Philipsburg Cemetery, Philipsburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rowland Theatre, 127 N. Front St., Philipsburg, PA 16866, or to the YMCA of Centre County, Moshannon Valley Branch, P.O. Box 426, Philipsburg, PA 16866.
The family would like to extend their thanks to Kandee Hosterman, Mr. Wilson’s personal aide, for her many years of loyal service and to the staff of Dayspring PCH for their care.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and share memories at www.beezerheathfh.com.
