Donald Wittwer

Donald R. “Don” Wittwer, 90, of Wapakoneta, Ohio passed away Saturday, January 2, 2021, 2:25 a.m. at Shawnee Manor. He was born September 16, 1930, in Berne to Hiram and Ruth (Schug) Wittwer. He was married May 7, 1950, to Rebecca Nussbaum. She preceded him in death August 30, 2000. He was married July 9, 2005, to Mary Ann Metzger Mahoney. She preceded him in death September 24, 2018.
He was a 1948 graduate of Monroe High School and a 1949 graduate of the International Business College in Fort Wayne. He moved to Wapakoneta, Ohio in 1952 and retired in 1995 as treasurer and assistant manager from Mercer Landmark.
He was truly a man dedicated to service to the Wapakoneta area community. He served 17 years as a Wapakoneta city councilman and then served as mayor of Wapakoneta from 1991 until 2007. He also served on the Auglaize County District Solid Waste Management Board, the Civil Service Commission and was a past member of the Auglaize County and State of Ohio Mayors’ Association. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wapakoneta, where he served as a lay leader and chairman of the administrative board. He was a member and past president of the Wapakoneta Lions Club, where he had 56 years of perfect attendance. He received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award from the Lions Club International and served as district governor of the Lions Club, International. He was a 53-year member of the Wapakoneta Chamber of Commerce and served as president in 1966. He was a charter member of the Neil Armstrong Airport Authority and served as co-chairman of the Neil Armstrong Homecoming Committee.  His other memberships included the former Wapakoneta Elks, the Wapakoneta Eagles, the Wapakoneta Dad’s Club, the Auglaize County Historical Society and a social member of the Wapakoneta V.F.W.
He is survived by two daughters, Anita (James) Penhorwood of Lima, Ohio; and Donna (Jan Castanza) Wittwer of The Villages, Florida; two sons, Dean (Patricia) Wittwer of Aiken, South Carolina; and Michael (Maria) Wittwer of Malvern, Ohio; foster daughter, Ann Bruning of Toledo, Ohio; three step-daughters, Diana Blackburn; and Debra Hume, both of Wapakoneta, Ohio; and Kathleen (Daniel) Umphress of Yardley, Pennsylvania; two step-sons, Gregory (Tammy) Mahoney of Wapakoneta, Ohio; and Jeffrey (Emilia) Mahoney of Gahanna, Ohio; six grandchildren, Aaron (Laura) Penhorwood; Chad (Kara) Penhorwood; Thomas (Lisa) Wittwer; Katie (Jake) Wittwer Gambrell; Adam (Sarah) Wittwer; and Jenna Wittwer; two foster sisters, Sonja (Terry) Craig of Mosheim, Tennessee; and Linda (Roger) Call of Monroe; and numerous great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, T. Wayne Wittwer; two foster brothers, Rene Brandt; and Dale Brandt; and foster sister, Alvina Brandt.
Due to COVID-19 health concerns, private family funeral services will be held at the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Officiating will be Pastor Josh Tissot. Private burial service will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Wapakoneta, Ohio. A public celebration of his life is planned for later this year. 
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Wapakoneta and The Wapakoneta Area Community Foundation.
Arrangements provided by Eley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wapakoneta, Ohio.