Obituaries

Pamela Dawn Gontz, LTC. Ret USAF NC, 74, of Wilmington, NC, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, March 16, 2026, in Danville, PA. She was born on June 13, 1951, in Chambersburg, PA, the daughter of the late Charles Leroy and Phyllis Ann (Wenger) Gontz.

Pam graduated from Shippensburg High School in 1969 and went on to the Kings Daughters School of Nursing in Martinsburg, WV, receiving her diploma of nursing.

She served her country with honor in the United States Air Force rising to the esteemed rank of Lieutenant Colonel, retiring in 2011. During her time in the Air Force she received her Basic Flight Nurse Badge, the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Major Gen. Thomas R. White, Jr. medal and the Gen. Thomas J. Stewart medal.

She formerly attended Crosswinds Church in Wilmington, NC. Pam found joy in family and created a warm, loving home. An avid lover of jigsaw puzzles and a passionate reader, Pam delighted in the challenges that life presented, embracing each one with grace and tenacity. However, her greatest joy came from the time spent with her family, where she was a constant source of love and encouragement.

Pam will be remembered as a nurturing soul with a kind heart, who selflessly devoted her life to caring for others. She will be deeply missed by those whose lives she touched.

She is survived by one sister; LeeAnn Hocker of Danville, PA; one nephew, Shawn Hocker and his wife Catherine and their children, Bella, Mason and Logan of Wilmington, NC; two nieces, Chandra Knott and her husband David and their children, Taylor and Ava of Chapel Hill, NC; and Linsey Courtney and her husband Malachi and their children, Patience, Payton, Matthias, SalemAnn, Ezra, and Magdalena.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Pam’s Life to be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 7:00PM at Visneski Funeral Home, Inc., 42 West Mahoning Street, Danville, PA with Pastor Jeff Loman officiating. Friends will be received from 6:00-6:45PM. Nursing rites will be accorded by the SUN Nursing Honor Guard.

Burial will be held at a later date at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA.

The family will provide flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the International Justice Mission, PO Box 96961, Washington, DC 20090-6961 or online at IJM.org.