John R. Witthoft, 73, of Marissa, IL; born June 6, 1938 in Campbell Hill, IL; passed away on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL after a long and gallant battle with an extended illness.
John was a coal miner and a truck driver. He led his life as an example of faith and determination. He was a friend to all and was always willing to help anyone in need. His friendly and outgoing personality was enjoyed by all who knew him. He will be sadly missed by family and friends. He grew up on a farm and his love of horses remained his entire life. He was an avid woodworker. We were all blessed to have had him in our lives and will remember him as a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He is preceded in death by his father – William Witthoft. 4 brothers and 1 granddaughter.
He is survived by his wife Shirley, nee Rednour, Witthoft whom he married on July 31, 1971 in Marissa, IL. His mother Mary, nee Brenneman, Witthoft. 5 children – Randy McBride of Marissa, IL; Barbara (Richard) Leming of Coulterville, IL; Lea (Brian) Kuriger of Staunton, IL; Brian Witthoft of Steeleville, IL; Jerry (Traci) Witthoft of Steeleville, IL. 12 grandchildren – Adam McBride; Shaun Poenitske; Jason, Poenitske; John Poenitske; Clinton McBride; Elijah Barnes; Zachary Leming; Samantha Witthoft; Sydney Witthoft; Seth Leon; Jacob Witthoft; Nathan Witthoft. 4 great-grandchildren – Katelyn Poenitske; Matthew McBride; Gabrielle McBride; Breanna Poenitske. 5 brothers – William Witthoft; Jim Witthoft; Roy Witthoft; Donald Witthoft; Wayne Witthoft.
Visitation: Friends may call at the Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in Marissa, IL on Thursday, March 22, 2012 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm and on Friday, March 23, 2012 from 9:00am to 11:00am.
Funeral: Services will be held at the Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in Marissa, IL on Friday, March 23, 2012 at 11:00am with Rev. Rebecca Williams officiating.
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Marissa, IL.
Interment: Burial will be held at Marissa Township Cemetery in Marissa, IL.
My sincere condolences to the Witthoft family. Growing up in Campbell Hill, John and I were classmates and friends. I have many good memories of those years and am sadden that he has passed away. Again, my condolences to the family.
Karl Tegtmeyer
Posted by: Karl Tegtmeyer – Omaha, NE – Classmates Mar 24, 2012
ReplyDear Shirley And Family
So Sorry To Hear About John My Prayers And Thoughts Are With You All
Peggy Witthoft And Family
Posted by: Peggy Witthoft – scott city, MO – sister in law Mar 23, 2012
ReplyWe have been blessed with wonderful neighbors, we will miss John daily. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, hope it helps to know that others care about you and are here for you as we adjust to life without him.
Posted by: Ed Mayo and Mary West – Marissa, IL – Friend Mar 23, 2012
ReplyI am so sorry for your loss. May God be with you and your family.
Posted by: Jackie Rosko – St Charles, MO – Lea’s friend Mar 22, 2012
ReplyThank you all for your kind and caring words. Your compassionate words are heartfelt and we, his family, are appreciative.
My dad is a good man, to everyone. I already miss my buddy.
Even though he is no longer of this Earth, he will be remembered forever for his honesty, his humor and the devoted, gentle man he was.
I will always love you dad. And I will take care of mom, as I told you I would.
Posted by: Lea Kuriger – Staunton, IL – Daughter Mar 22, 2012
ReplyDear Lea and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Andrea Florin
Waste Management
Posted by: Andrea Florin – Pewaukee, WI – friend of Lea Kuriger Mar 22, 2012
ReplyI’m so sorry for your loss. I think back on the first time I met John. He had stopped by work to see his daughter, Lea. He was one of those people who you feel instantly at home with. He made me feel like he had known me forever and that he would count me as a friend. I’m sure he made everyone feel that way. May you find peace in knowing that his suffering is finally over and he’s whole once again. My prayers are with you.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy Guerra Mar 21, 2012
ReplySo sorry to hear of your loss. Our condolences to you and your family. We think the world of The Witthoft brothers and their families. Frank & Cheryl Bledsoe.
Posted by: Frank & Cheryl Bledsoe – St.Petersburg, FL – friends with Johns brothers Mar 21, 2012
ReplyShirley, So sorry to hear of Johns passing but he has now arrived at his true home in heaven. God Bless. Jack & Brenda Vinson
Posted by: Jack & Brenda Vinson – Sparta, IL – friend Mar 21, 2012
ReplyThis site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Shirley, So sorry to hear of Johns passing but he has now arrived at his true home in heaven. God Bless. Jack & Brenda Vinson
Posted by: Jack & Brenda Vinson – Sparta, IL – friend Mar 21, 2012
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our condolences to you and your family. We think the world of The Witthoft brothers and their families. Frank & Cheryl Bledsoe.
Posted by: Frank & Cheryl Bledsoe – St.Petersburg, FL – friends with Johns brothers Mar 21, 2012
I’m so sorry for your loss. I think back on the first time I met John. He had stopped by work to see his daughter, Lea. He was one of those people who you feel instantly at home with. He made me feel like he had known me forever and that he would count me as a friend. I’m sure he made everyone feel that way. May you find peace in knowing that his suffering is finally over and he’s whole once again. My prayers are with you.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy Guerra Mar 21, 2012
Dear Lea and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Andrea Florin
Waste Management
Posted by: Andrea Florin – Pewaukee, WI – friend of Lea Kuriger Mar 22, 2012
Thank you all for your kind and caring words. Your compassionate words are heartfelt and we, his family, are appreciative.
My dad is a good man, to everyone. I already miss my buddy.
Even though he is no longer of this Earth, he will be remembered forever for his honesty, his humor and the devoted, gentle man he was.
I will always love you dad. And I will take care of mom, as I told you I would.
Posted by: Lea Kuriger – Staunton, IL – Daughter Mar 22, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss. May God be with you and your family.
Posted by: Jackie Rosko – St Charles, MO – Lea’s friend Mar 22, 2012
We have been blessed with wonderful neighbors, we will miss John daily. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, hope it helps to know that others care about you and are here for you as we adjust to life without him.
Posted by: Ed Mayo and Mary West – Marissa, IL – Friend Mar 23, 2012
Dear Shirley And Family
So Sorry To Hear About John My Prayers And Thoughts Are With You All
Peggy Witthoft And Family
Posted by: Peggy Witthoft – scott city, MO – sister in law Mar 23, 2012
My sincere condolences to the Witthoft family. Growing up in Campbell Hill, John and I were classmates and friends. I have many good memories of those years and am sadden that he has passed away. Again, my condolences to the family.
Karl Tegtmeyer
Posted by: Karl Tegtmeyer – Omaha, NE – Classmates Mar 24, 2012