Obituary for
John DeWitte
John J. DeWitte, 91, of Port Charlotte FL. and formerly Stevens Point, WI., died Saturday, April 4, 2015, from a heart attack, he was surrounded by his loved ones at the time of his death.
John was born Oct. 21, 1923, in Appleton, WI. He attended West Milwaukee High School, where he was a 2 time state wrestling champion. After graduation he joined the Navy in 1942 serving 3 years as a submarine torpedo technician. After his discharge in 1945, he attended U.W. Madison on a wrestling scholarship and the GI Bill. He graduated with a Masters Degree in Physical Education. He married Dorothy Gmerek on July 31, 1947, spending 44 years together until her death in 1991.
John began his teaching career in 1953, at P.J. Jacobs High School in Stevens Point, now Stevens Point Area Senior High, where he retired in 1983 after 31 years. During his 19 years as wrestling coach, he had 13 individual championships at the state level. He also coached golf for 12 years winning 2 state championships in 1981 and 1983.
John was an avid golfer with 6 hole-in one's. He played his last golf round on his 90th birthday in October 2013. He loved to hunt and fish in his earlier years and in his later years loved to travel with his wife, Marty who he married on Feb. 23, 1995, celebrating 20 years together this past February.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Caroline DeWitte and his sister, Muriel Gmerek.
John is survived by his wife, Marty; sisters, Jackie (Wally) Gottinger and Joan Carroll; daughters, Janice Carpenter, Mia (Mary) Dewit and Donna (Crockett) Byrnes; grandchildren, Amy Romano, Jimmy Carpenter and Andy Byrnes. Also survived by Marty's, daughters, Peggy (Dick) Hootman, LuAnne (Mike) Gruenke, and Lori (Tom) Hughes; plus 3 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
John was loved by many and he always got a kick out of seeing so many of his former students and athletes who would greet him with a "Hi coach, how's it going." He will be missed but never forgotten
Graveside services will be held on Friday, April 17, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Stevens Point, WI.
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