J Oscar Bittinger

Goodbye – Randy “Guitar Man” Stauffer – [2021-05-18]

Randy Stauffer, AKA “Guitar Man”, died on May 18, 2021. In addition to enjoying Wheatland, Randy hosted the weekend-long “Buttwheat Music Jam” at his home for many years.

Monica McGovern noted the passing of her sister-in-law, Teresa Kress (who died suddenly on April 20, 2021), and of her brother, Michael Kress (who died of brain cancer on June 22, 2021). Monica wrote that Mike and Teresa “had many friends in (the Wheatland) organization. We know that they were special to you all as […]

Goodbye – Daneen Wardrop – [2021-04-08]

Early Wheatland performer Chuck Wardrop wrote about his sister, Daneen Wardrop. In Chuck’s words, “Daneen Wardrop, award-winning poet, celebrated educator, extraordinary mother, sister, and friend, graduated from this life on April 8, 2021. Daneen was one of Wheatland’s first instigator/collaborators, scouting talent and performing on Wheatland’s stages in those very early years. Her life was […]

Goodbye – Elaine Landgraf – [2021-03-16]

Keith Landgraf wrote that his wife Elaine Landgraf , who died on March 16, 2021, attended every Wheatland Festival between 1996 and 2019. Elaine was a Kids’ Hill volunteer who loved Cajun music.

Dan Brandon wrote that his wife, Donna Brandon, passed away on March 11, 2021, after a short illness. Dan and Donna were both longtime Wheatlanders. As Dan put it, “Donna loved the music, the people the arts and crafts, and the entire atmosphere of Wheatland.” Donna’s daughter, Phoebe Hall, wrote, “We will miss (Donna’s) smiile […]

Fellow jewelry maker Melody Litwiller-Knopek noted the passing on February 13, 2021 of Alice Jeffers. Alice sold her handmade jewelry in the Arts & Crafts Area for many years at Wheatland. Melody wrote that Alice “was loved and will be missed by many.”

Goodbye – Sharon Peters – [2021-01-08]

Longtime friend of Wheatland Pamela “Peach” Burke noted that Sharon Peters, who worked in the Performer Recordings booth at Wheatland for many years, passed away on January 8, 2021. Peach described Sharon as “a beautiful, spunky, energetic and musically talented woman who will not soon be forgotten.”

Goodbye - Steven "Pete" Reynolds - [2020-12-12]

Patty Parkinson wrote about her beloved brother-in-law, Steven “Pete” Reynolds, who died suddenly on December 12, 2020. Pete was a festival goer for 33 years, and a volunteer for 15 of those years. In Patty’s words, “Pete loved the Wheatland Festival! So much so that at the end of each one he would enthusiastically start […]

Goodbye – Kris Murray Koenigsknecht – [2020-12]

Linda Rogers wrote that Kris Murray Koenigsknecht, who died in December of 2020, “was a huge part of our Wheatland family since 1983.” Kris’ clan is deeply saddened by her passing.

Goodbye – Randy “Guitar Man” Stauffer – [2021-05-18]

Goodbye – Teresa Kress [2021-04-20] & Michael Kress [2021-06-22]

Goodbye – Daneen Wardrop – [2021-04-08]

Goodbye – Elaine Landgraf – [2021-03-16]

Goodbye – Donna Brandon – [2021-03-11]

Goodbye – Alice Jeffers – [2021-02-13]

Goodbye – Sharon Peters – [2021-01-08]

Goodbye – Steven “Pete” Reynolds – [2020-12-12]

Goodbye – Kris Murray Koenigsknecht – [2020-12]