Jill M. (Pike) Glunt

Jill M. (Pike) Glunt, 77, of Martinsburg, PA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Presbyterian Village in Hollidaysburg.

Born in Altoona to Louis and Ethel (Dewald) Pike, Jill married the love of her life, Jim Glunt, on April 20, 1974. Jill’s heart broke when Jim passed away on June 7 of this year. Yet she found strength for a brief “overtime” season -- precious final weeks of connection with family, friends, and caregivers.

Preserving the Things She Loved

If there was a theme to Jill’s life, it may have been preserving the things she loved.

Jill was organized, capable, and took pride in keeping things just so. She had beautiful handwriting. When cancer and its complications made speech difficult, she preserved conversation through handwritten notes. Those notes are now treasured not only for what she said, but because the words are uniquely hers. She was the keeper of the family photographs, labeling albums and adding new pictures as the family grew and changed. Her “wall of fame” was a record of a family constantly changing around her.

Jill preserved family stories, too. She loved to laugh and especially enjoyed telling and retelling family jokes and stories. She whistled around the house and made up little songs. She loved old Westerns with Jim, decorating for Christmas, and gardening. In her younger years she preserved the summer harvest by canning tomatoes, filling the home with the sweet aroma of tomatoes simmering and the triumphant pop of jar lids sealing. She made simple, delicious meals for Jim, including the crockpot creation and family favorite affectionately known as “Sloppy Jill’s.”

Later in life, when tremors made things difficult, Jill discovered that using colored pencils calmed her nerves. She left behind a collection of hand-colored drawings, many accompanied by a Scripture passage—little pieces of Jill to be treasured forever.

And Jill had a mischievous side. She occasionally recruited her daughter for a day trip to the casino, where she enjoyed the thrill of gambling with a small amount of money. Beneath her organized determination was a woman who knew how to have fun.

At the center of Jill’s life was Jim. Their life together took them from Pennsylvania to Ohio and back again, through careers, horses, children, adventures, illness, and countless ordinary days. Jill considered being Jim’s wife one of her greatest joys. Their steadfast love anchored her through life’s changes. Jill’s work life was equally varied. She worked for the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, and in other administrative positions, and with Jim operated the riding stable at the Bedford Springs Hotel. They later spent ten years at YMCA Camp Tippecanoe in Ohio, where Jim served as Executive Director and Jill as Administrative Assistant. They returned to their family home in Morrisons Cove in 1998, where Jill returned to BVR and retired in 2009.

Adversity Revealed Her Character

Jill’s life demanded extraordinary resilience. The adversity she faced revealed the strength of her bond with Jim. With Jim by her side, she survived Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1972, head and neck cancer in 2011, and breast cancer in 2019. The lasting effects of those illnesses were profound. But Jill continually found ways to make the most of the life she had. Her final eleven months were a haze of hospitalizations, intensive care, and skilled nursing care. Through one crisis after another, Jill rallied. After Jim’s death, she continued to fight and ultimately stabilized to welcome visitors, reconnect with family and friends, and spread joy. Her family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care Jill received at Nason Hospital, Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, UPMC Altoona, UPMC Passavant, UPMC Presbyterian, Cranberry Place, and Presbyterian Village.

Jill was a member of St. Thomas More Church in Roaring Spring. She is survived by her children, Sherri (Arthur Streeter), Jay (Erica Strasser), and Tod (Nicki (Bigler) Glunt); her sister, Sherrill Kaufman; her brother, Darryl Pike (Vicki); her sister-in-law, Ann McKnight; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her soulmate, Jim; her sister, Beverly Snyder; her brother, Gary Pike; her brothers-in-law, Mearle Kaufman, John Snyder, and Robert Glunt; and two beloved nephews.

A Butterfly Release Celebrating Jill’s Life

Jill’s life will be celebrated with a combination of traditional and untraditional gatherings.

On Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., a Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas More Church, 619 E. Main Street, Roaring Spring. Committal and a graveside service will follow at noon at St. Aloysius Cemetery in Cresson.

Beginning at 12:45 p.m., everyone is invited to Veterans Park, 560 Country Club Road, Cresson, to share stories and memories of Jill, enjoy a picnic meal, and release butterflies in her memory. The butterflies symbolize the peace that Jill finally found through release — and reminders to let go of the things that burden us and make room for love, joy, and the people who matter most.

In Jill’s Memory

Flowers are not necessary. Your presence, your memories of Jill, and your love for her carry deep meaning for the family. For those who would like to do something more, a memorial fund has been established to help with the expenses of Jill’s remembrance and the significant medical expenses remaining from her long illness. There is absolutely no expectation to contribute.

A wonderful way to honor Jill is to share a favorite memory, photograph, or story. For those who would like to contribute, use this link: Celebrating the Life of Jill Glunt https://www.gofundme.com/f/celebrating-the-life-of-jill-glunt

Jill leaves behind more than photograph albums, handwritten notes, and colored drawings. She leaves behind a family who now knows that love can be steadfast, laughter can carry us through difficult times, and the seemingly ordinary moments can be the greatest family memories. After a lifetime of holding on, Jill finally found the strength to let go. And now it is our turn to preserve what she gave us.

Arrangements by Fink & Stone Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.; Martinsburg.

www.finkandstonefh.com