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Wilma Artis, 96, the widow of the late Rev. Paul Artis, died Dec. 2, in York, Pa.

Wilma Stahl and Paul Artis married in 1935; at the time he worked for the Celanese Corporation in Cumberland. He was licensed as a local preacher in 1942 and in 1945 he entered college to prepare for the ministry. She was his faithful companion through his years of first finishing high school, then Western Maryland College, graduating in 1950, and three years of seminary at Westminster Theological Seminary (now Wesley), at the same time they were building their family. They had three daughters. He was ordained an Elder in 1954.

Artis served Mt. Nebo Methodist Circuit in Whiteford from 1948 to 1955. He was then appointed to Asbury Methodist Church in Arnold, and served two years. In 1957 he was pastor of St. James Methodist Circuit in West Friendship until his untimely death in 1958 at the age of 42.

Wilma Artis supported her husband throughout his schooling by working in a sewing factory. “She sewed all her life,” said daughter Patty Varner. During the years he was appointed to Mt. Nebo Circuit, she taught a young adult Sunday school class.

After his death, she  returned to Whiteford and became a member of Mt. Olivet, then on the Mt. Nebo Circuit. She went into nursing, something she’d always wanted to do, and received her LPN degree. Artis worked at the Perry Point Veterans Hospital until she retired in her mid-60s to care for her mother. In her 90s, she moved to the County Meadows Nursing Home, near a daughter, and was there until her death.

Survivors include her three daughters, Varner of New Freedom, Pa., Catherine Wilson of Shepherdstown, W. Va., and Pauline Metvower of Harrisonburg, Va.; and four grandchildren. Two grandchildren pre-deceased her.

Condolences may be sent to her daughter, Patty Varner, 600 Ken Road, New Freedom, PA 17349.