DEWITT, W. Wendell

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 09/17/2004 W. Wendell DeWitt, 89, died Sept. 11, 2004 at Bannon Springs Ranch in Vernon. Wendell was born in Holbrook. The family lived in Woodruff and he went through his elementary education there. He attended Snowflake Union High School. Soon after high school he married Ruby Packer. They lived in Miami, for a short time then moved to Avondale where he worked for Goodyear Aircraft building airplanes during WWII. They then moved back to Navajo County and lived in Woodruff and Holbrook where he worked for the U.S. Post Office until he retired. They then moved to Payson where they lived for 10 years before returning home to Holbrook in 1992. He was a member of the Little Colorado Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he served in many capacities in the church throughout his life. He loved gardening and raised food for the table most of his life. He also loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He was on the bowling league for many years and after he retired he became an avid golfer. Wendell is survived by two daughters, Janet Hatch of Woodruff and Diane (Lynn) Decker of Holbrook; two sons, Fred (Corrine) DeWitt of Mesa and Brady (Carolee) DeWitt of Holbrook; two brothers, Waldo (Nancy) DeWitt of Mesa and Carlisle DeWitt of Holbrook; two sisters, Marie Maennche of Snowflake and Sue (Kent) Palmer of Taylor; 30 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby in 1996 and two sons, Max and Dillis. Funeral services were held Thursday Sept. 16th at the Holbrook Stake Center, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a visitation at Owens Mortuary in Holbrook. To send private condolences or to sign an online guest book visit website: www.owensmortuary.com.