Ray Edgar Witt ca1896-1953

WITT, MOORE

Posted By: Sherry Duval (email)
Date: 8/20/2007 at 17:00:46

Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Cedar Methodist church for Ray E. WITT, Rev. Robert Watt, pastor of the Cedar Methodist church was in charge of the services. Wesley RANDELL sang, accompanied by Mrs. Robert ASHMAN. Pallbearers were Leo Drake of Memphis, MO, Herb Plambeck of Des Moines, Tom Doughtery of Centerville, Ben Groenendyke, Orville Linsley and Brandt VanMaanen. Burial was in White Oak cemetery [Mahaska Co., IA]. Mr. Plambeck is farm news editor of radio station WHO and Mr. Drake and Mr. Dougherty are friends Mr. Witt made while attending plowing matches.

Ray E. Witt died at his home in Cedar [Mahaska Co., IA] Sunday evening July 26, 1953 after an illness during which he was tenderly cared for by his devoted family. He reached the age of 57 years, 1 month and 11 days.

Ray Edgar WITT, only child of P.L. WITT and Hettie E. WITT, was born northeast of Cedar in Maple Grove school district and spent all his life in the Cedar community. On Feb. 16, 1916 he was married to Ida Belle MOORE. To this union two sons and three daughters were born. His parents and young son George Edwin preceded him in death.

Surviving him are his wife and four children, Ernest Warren of Moravia [IA], Mrs. Evert ANDERSON (Mary) of Orion, IL, Mrs. John MACKEY (Esther) of Hibbing, MN and Mrs. Wm. ASHMAN, Jr. (Leona) of Cedar. Also seven grandchildren and two foster brothers, Dan W. Cram of Freeport, IL and Julian A. Clark of Rock Island, IL.

He was a member of the Cedar Methodist church.

His interests were always with the young people of the community in their sports and activities. He encouraged them to play a clean game and to develop sportsmanship and character. He also found joy in turning a good furrow with the plow. His skill in plowing was evident when he became the first State Champion Plowman in 1939. His keen sense of fair judging was valued by others and he was often called upon to help judge various events.

Source Description: Newspaper clipping found in papers of Zella (KARSTETTER) FOX (deceased) of Cedar, IA.