Iva B. Wiltse, 88, passed away at 6:15 a.m., Monday, July 12, 2010 at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. She had lived in Chanute for 69 years before moving to Sunset Manor Nursing facility in Frontenac in December 2009.

She and her twin brother, Ivan, were born August 12, 1921, to Ira and Bessie (McPeak) Wheeler at Mercy Hospital in Parsons. Their mother died when the twins were age seven. They lived at an orphanage in Montgomery County and with relatives while their father worked to help support them and their older siblings. She attended school in Montgomery County and Erie.

On December 1, 1940, she married George L. Wiltse in Erie. He preceded her in death on March 21, 2008.

She was a homemaker.

They were members of the Living Word Assembly in Chanute.

Survivors include her son Charles Wiltse and wife Bobbie, Parsons; three daughters, Nina Hurford of Chanute, Carolyn Rose and her companion Roger Schuttenhelm of Chandler, Ariz., and Betty Urich and her husband Skip of Pittsburg; seven grandchildren, Angela Haviland and her husband Kevin of Parsons, Mark Patton and his wife Angela of Chanute, Richard Rose and his wife Denise of Albany, Ore., Chris Wiltse and his wife Jeannine of Overland Park, Jonathan Wiltse and his wife Jennifer of Overland Park, Ben Urich of San Diego, Calif., and Erin Urich of San Francisco, Calif.; and four great-grandchildren, Ari and Chaz Haviland and Gillian and Gabriel Rose.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband George; brothers, Ralph, Clarence and Ivan; and sisters Edna and Edith.

Her life was centered around family, friends and church. She will be remembered for her love of family and friends, playing skip-bo and dominoes and her great sense of humor.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 16, 2010 at the Living Word Assembly of God Church in Chanute. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 15, 2010 from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Gibson Chapel, Chanute.

Memorials in her name may be made to Cherry Street Youth Center and may be left with the funeral home.

Penwell-Gabel Gibson is in charge of arrangements.

“To leave a special message for the family on-line, visit www.PenwellGabelChanute.com”