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John M. “Jack” Wilson left for his next great adventure on July 26, 2026, to be reunited with many friends and family who knew and loved him over his nearly 97 years. These include his father, Gerald “Jerry” Wilson, mother, Gladys Myers Wilson, brother and sister-in-law, G. Richard (Dick) and Betty Musser Wilson, and too many others to name individually. Jack was loved.
Born in Reading, Pa., Jack moved to Lewistown in 1941, graduating from LHS in 1947. After graduating from Juniata College in 1951, Jack enlisted in the Navy, completing Officer Candidate School in 1952. He served as engineering officer for the destroyers U.S.S. Borie and U.S.S. Green in the Atlantic and Mediterranean for 42 months during the Korean War.
He loved his Navy years but settled down with Patricia L. Hartzler in 1955 to start a family. Together they had two children: John Michael and Barbara Ann. After a brief illness, Patricia died in 1975.
Jack expanded his family by marrying Pauline Sikorsky Taptich in 1976 embracing her children Karen, Eileen, and Dan.
For several decades Jack and his brother Dick owned and operated Wilson Gas & Oil Company and Wilson Tire Company. Jack and Dick operated gas stations throughout Mifflin County, a tire shop, and delivered heating oil in Mifflin and Juniata counties. After selling his interest to his brother and nephews (Michael and the late Steven Wilson), Jack turned his business acumen to completing the development of South Hills after the retirement of Dr. John Hunter.
Jack was active in the community, serving on the boards of Lewistown Trust Company, Juniata Valley Bank, Mount Rock Cemetery Company, and Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation. A 60-year member of the Lewistown Presbyterian church, he served as a Trustee and Elder.
A man of varied interests, Jack excelled in many pursuits. A member of the Lewistown Pistol Club, he earned a Master proficiency. He was a self-taught stonemason and handcrafted stone fireplaces for his own homes and those of several relatives. At age 87 he bought a lathe and became a skilled woodturner, gifting his creations to friends and relatives and donating turned-wood artwork for various fundraising fairs. He enjoyed his friends and was a member of a poker club that met monthly for over 30 years. He enjoyed traveling and camping, making numerous trips to the Rockies, New England, and the West Coast with his wife and family in a series of tents, then camper RVs. He delighted in his grandchildren, Dale (Carrie) Moll, Justin Hill, Dr. Anna Taptich (fiancé, Daniel Hockenbury) and Lt. Joey (Hannah) Taptich and great-grandsons, Logan and Gerrit Moll. Jack liked dogs, and dogs liked him.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Pauline, his children Karen (Steve) Miller, of Lewistown, John Wilson (Dana Jackson), of Smyrna, Ga., Barbara Wilson (Michael Maydak), of Lewistown, Eileen (the late Brian) Hays, of Darlington, Pa., Daniel (Susan) Taptich. of Bellville, nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to King Barr Funeral Home at 120 Logan Street, Lewistown. A private family internment will be held at the Lind Memorial Cemetery. Those wishing to honor Jack's memory are invited to donate to the Cystic-Fibrosis Foundation of Bethesda, Maryland, or the American Cancer Society of Hagerstown, Maryland.
Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.kingbarrfuneral home.com.
âI know we'll meet again some sunny dayã.