John Paul Witt, 75, of Ava passed away peacefully Sunday, March 11 with his family surrounding him. He was 75 years old and had experienced a short illness with lung cancer. Visitation services will be Thursday, March 15, 2007 from 7 to 9 pm at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, 407 N.E. 5th Street, Ava, Mo. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 16 at St. Leo's The Great Catholic Church, SE 5th Street. Graveside services will follow at the Ava Cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his father, Frank B. Witt, his mother, Velma Gass Witt, and his stepmother, Ruth Nace Witt.
John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth, his sister Jean Scott of Niles, Ohio and her husband, Joel; his brother, Frank Witt, Jr. of Poland, Ohio and his wife Jane. He had ten children: John Witt of Lake St. Louis and his wife, Pat; Tina Talbert of Springfield, MO and her husband, Keith; Cheryl Orr of Lee's Summit, MO and her husband, Bob; Darlene Petty of Brighton, MO and her husband, Randy; Diane Cunningham of Overland Park, KS and her husband, Bill; Dan Witt of Kansas City, MO and his wife, Bonnie; Jeff Witt of Mullins, S. Carolina; Rod Witt of Nixa, MO and his wife, Sheryl; Clay Witt of McKinney, Texas and his wife, Stacy; Anita Madche of Fort Sheridan, Illinois and her husband, Ray, and 21 grandchildren.
He was born in 1931 to Frank B. Witt and Velma Gass Witt in Eureka, Tennessee. His mother died when he was three and he was raised by his grandparents and his Aunt Zoe until his father remarried. He moved to Girard, Ohio where he graduated from high school. He attended and played football at Kent State University, leaving early to join the Air Force. He retired after 20 years as a Master Sergeant, having served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was awarded the Bronze Star during his Vietnam tour for his bravery as part of an EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) squad team. He retired in Ava in 1970 and worked at McBee Binder Company in Springfield, Spaulding and Rawlings Manufacturing Plants, and St. Leo's Church. He was extremely proud of his family and enjoyed camping, woodworking, fishing, and was an avid sports fan.
Donations in John's name can be to Regional Hospice 1328 E. Evergreen, Springfield, MO 65803, St. John's Hospital Foundation 1235 East Cherokee, Springfield, MO 65804 or St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, Route 6 Box 6700, Ava, MO 65608.