Beota Yvonne (Wilt) Rhoade

Beota Yvonne (Wilt) Rhoade, 79, of Palmyra, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 9, 2023, at the Hershey Medical Center, Hershey. She was born on Sunday, October 24, 1943, to the late John A. and Beota M. (Horst) Wilt. She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Ronald F. Rhoade.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Candace Marchsteiner (David), Tammy Mosher (Matthew), Randal Rhoade (fiancée Daovone), and Melanie Haldeman (Bret); grandchildren, Kaitlyn Geesaman (fiance Dayton), Stephanie Kirchner (Andrew), Bret Christian Haldeman, Ryan Haldeman (Jamie), Summer Troska (Bradley), Claudia Bullen (Cory), Eden Heckman (Brock), and Josi Mosher; great-grandchildren, Harper and Tristan Kirchner and Cooper Troska. She is also survived by her brothers John B. Wilt (Elsie) and Daryl Lee Wilt.

Beota, known in her youth as “Nonnie,” grew up in Middletown and graduated from Middletown Area High School in 1961. For years she worked as a secretary at Olmsted Air Force Base. When raising her young family, Beota was a faithful member of the Gravel Hill United Methodist Church in Palmyra and was the local Avon lady. She loved her monthly card club gatherings with girlfriends, knitting, and playing the organ.

Later Bea’s focus became more devoted to God’s work and His word. She was an avid Sight & Sound Theater patron, attended several bible study groups, taught Bible Adventure club weekly, joined in national prayer calls, occasionally volunteered at Jubilee Ministries, and was active in Legacy Family Church in Annville. She regularly enjoyed visiting friends in nursing homes and was a beacon of beauty and light everywhere she went.

Bea retired from Palmyra Area School District where she worked in the middle school cafeteria for 30 years. She also retired from Redner’s Markets after simultaneously working there for 28 years. More than anything she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 11 AM at the Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra, PA 17078 with Pastors Steve and Nancy Brinton officiating. A time of viewing will be held from 10 AM until the start of the service. Burial will follow at Grandview Memorial Park, Annville, and a reception will be held back at the funeral home afterward.

In lieu of flowers, donations supporting Israel may be made in Bea’s memory. Her personal choice for many years was the Jerusalem Prayer Team. Call 817-268-1228 and mention Bea’s account #74277699. The family will get notified of your donation made in her memory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Beota Yvonne (Wilt) Rhoade, please visit our floral store.