Wilda Marie Iames Knisely

June 30, 1937 - June 2, 2026

Wilda was born in Chaneysville, PA. on June 30, 1937 and passed peacefully at UPMC Altoona on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, surrounded by family, at the age of 88. She was preceded in death by husband of 63 years, Harold Eugene Knisely, who she married on October 11, 1959; father, Lester V. Iames; mother, Ora Mae Bennett Iames; brother, Alton Iames and wife, Jeane; sister, Norma Iames Kifer and husband, Owen; brother-in-law, L. Dean Knisely; son-in-law, Bradley Wise; and nephews, V. Doc Kifer, Michael Kifer, & Randall Iames.

Wilda is survived by two loving daughters, Cynthia Jo Knisely Wise, of Bedford; & Pamela Sue Knisely Jones wife of Jason, of Duncansville; four grandchildren: Eric Wise husband of Tara; Meghan Wise Bardell wife of Sean; Graden Jones, Cullen Jones; four great-grandchildren: Jenna Wise, Reghan Wise, Easton Bardell, and Athena Bardell. She was loved by many nieces, nephews, neighbors & friends, and thoroughly enjoyed phone calls from all of them. She will also be sorely missed by nephews & nieces, Ed and Barb Iames, Dean and Joyce Kifer, & Nancy and Ron Smith.

Wilda was a graduate of Everett High School, class of 1955, worked at G.C. Murphy Co. in Everett and was a telephone operator for several years, but best of all, she was Mom, Mama, Mamaw, Memaw, and Aunt Wilda; she answered to it all and she raised more "children" than anyone could ever imagine in her incredible life. She was the matriarch of the family and the strongest and hardest working woman on earth. Wilda loved her family above all. She loved spending holidays with everyone, playing Canasta, cooking, taking care of her kitties, mowing her yard, and sitting under her tree on her swing for hours. She enjoyed going on walks behind her house that she and her husband built with their family, and walking "Down Home on the Farm," where she was raised.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at Geisel-Styer Funeral Home in Bedford, PA from 10am-12pm with a funeral service at 12 PM.  Burial to follow at Prosperity Church Cemetery in Clearville, PA.

In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Wilda to Abby's Angels: 120 W. Pitt St. StrFrt 2, Bedford, PA. 15522.

Online condolences may be expressed at http://www.geiselfuneral.com/. Arrangements entrusted to Geisel-Styer Funeral Homes, Bedford, Pennsylvania.