Violet D. Wessman

Violet D Wessman, 92, passed away on Monday, December 15, 2025 surrounded by her immediate family. She leaves behind her beloved son, Eric C Wessman of Newport, two granddaughters Stephanie and her husband Daniel Bordner of Duncannon and Erika and her husband Jared Lokay of Montclair, NJ. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Frank C Wessman as well as her grandson, Derek Wessman.

Born September 18, 1933 in Baldwin MI to Earle Van Ness Leavitt and Hazel Ilo (Snyder), Violet was the 12th of 13 children. She lived in Michigan, Florida and Indiana as a child, graduating from Shadeland High School in Lafayette, IN in 1951 as part of a class of 23. After graduating, she moved to Chicago, IL to live with her sister Ruth. There she worked at Walgreens in the pharmacy where she met her favorite customer, her future husband, Frank Wessman. Frank, having been discharged from the Navy, took his bride to Bergenfield, NJ to meet his family and then marry March 5, 1955.

Her beloved sister, June Gardner visited the family in the summer of 1958. This would be a truly memorable visit. Her sister had come to visit and also to attend the Divine Will International Assembly of Jehovah's Witnesses. June attended the convention each day and returned home in the evening staying up to the wee hours of the morning explaining Bible teachings to Violet and Frank. They decided to join her for the last day of the convention. This led to both Frank and Violet being baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on March 28,1959 in Passaic, NJ. There they continued on in the Englewood, NJ congregation where they made lifelong friends.

The next years saw moves to congregations and areas around Knoxville, TN; Lancaster, PA; Wrightsville, PA; and lastly Newport, PA after the death of her beloved husband Frank in 2022. Violet enjoyed working with her husband Frank at Auto Trim Services, a company owned by Frank and Eric. She was also well known in Lancaster for her garage sales as well as her collection of goods at various markets throughout the county. Violet will be remembered for her many artistic endeavors such as her crochet, quilts, jewelry, jewelry art and card making. Having been baptized for 66 years, she was most proud that her family continues on in their service to Jehovah.