Wanda Wehman Newton passed away on October 11, 2026, in Pennsylvania. Her eldest sister, Edna Bailey-Jones, is a resident of Deltona, Florida. Wanda was the youngest of four siblings, preceded in death by Louis Cruise and Linda Greenawalt.
Wanda Wehman Newton is survived by her children, Matthew and Dawn Wehman, Sara Jay and Mike Shodd, and Laurie and Dave Fullerton. She was known as Grammy to her fourteen grandchildren: Tabitha Howell, Andrew Daellenbach, Zachary Wehman, Jacob Shodd, Samantha Trenski, Robin Rabon, Luke Palchak, Shania Fullerton, Dakota Fullerton, Hayzen Smith-Fullerton, Shailynn Fullerton, Tori Fullerton, Briella Fullerton, and Della Fullerton. Her eight great-grandchildren are Andrew Daellenbach-Kupniewski, Juniper Howell, Coraline Howell, Sapphire Ellis, Dixie Ellis, Annabelle Ellis, Jack Rabon, and Ja’Moralise Facchiano. Wanda’s lifelong friends, Frank Baird, Daniel Sokolowski, Alexis Calendar, Dona Boots, and Tammy Price, were considered like family to her.
A dedicated community member, Wanda became an Ellwood City resident through marriage in 1966. She was deeply involved in the lives of her children and the youth of the community. Her service included acting as a Cub Scout leader for Troop 870 and creating the Lil’ Angels Softball League for girls aged 9–12. She also served as a football mom and coached girls’ softball for ages 12–18, demonstrating a sustained commitment to youth development in Ellwood City.
Her community contributions extended beyond youth sports. Wanda served as the Arts Chairperson for the Ellwood City Arts and Crafts Festival. During her time in this role, she formed the band Brok’n Pic, which made its debut performance at the festival, enriching the local arts scene.
At the age of 41, Wanda pursued higher education, earning her degree from Slippery Rock University in December 1989. This academic achievement paved the way for a unique career path. She joined the Vision Quest Wagon Train as a counselor, working with criminal youth. This federal court program involved riding a mustang named Sloan and traveling throughout the West as part of a working wagon train. During this period, she journeyed through Arizona, California, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, and Utah, living in tipis and covering 15 to 20 miles daily.
Following her contract with Vision Quest, Wanda transitioned into a career supporting military operations. She worked as a project manager and project engineer for both the Army and the Air Force. In this capacity, she oversaw military construction projects, guiding them from the design phase through to completion. Her assignments took her to various bases, including Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas; Fort Wainwright Army Base in Fairbanks, Alaska; Eielson Air Force Base in North Pole, Alaska; and Fort Greely Army Base in Delta Junction, Alaska. She lived in Alaska for 23 years, a state she “dearly loved.”
Wanda retired in 2014, returning to Ellwood City and settling in North Sewickley Township. She expressed happiness at being back in a climate where she could cultivate tomatoes and flowers. Wanda spent her retirement enjoying the company of her family, described as “the jewels in her crown.”
Local friends in Pennsylvania are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., located at 309 Spring Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Divine Grace Parish Social Services at 311 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117.