Richard J. Witges, 85, of Scheller died 11:45 p.m. March 14, 2005, at Nature Trail Healthcare Center in Mt. Vernon.

He was born July 1, 1919, in Scheller, a son of Theodore and Verna (Klinger) Witges.

He married Hilda (Perino) Witges Oct. 27, 1951, in Sesser; she survives.

He was a retired farmer and a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Sesser.

He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army fro 1941 to 1945, serving in World War II in the European theater. He was also a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Cox Post 4753 in Sesser.

Survivors include his wife, Hilda; a son, John Witges of Scheller; two daughters, Debra Witges of Houston, Texas, and Angela Kabat of Waltonville; three brothers, Leonard Witges and wife Isabel, Leo Witges and wife Helen and Charles Witges and friend Kathy, all of Scheller; three sisters, Hilda Kowalski and Dorothy McKay and husband Alva, both of Scheller, and Alice Radake and husband Henry of Afton, Mo.; a grandson, Nathan Kabat of Waltonville; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary Church in Sesser, with the Revs. Dan Jurek and Steven Poole officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Graveside military honors will be conducted by VFW Cox Post 4753 of Sesser. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville, with the rosary recited at 7:30 p.m.

For those wishing, memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic School of Mt. Vernon and will be accepted at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville, where you may call 279-7272 for more information.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: March 17, 2005
Submitted by: Robert W. Loman