Joan Wittman

Joan Wittman was born on May 30, 1934 to the former Leona and Alfred Beck. She died on Sunday, March 5, 2017 after a lengthy illness. Joan graduated from Marquette Catholic High School in 1952 and was married in 1954 to John Wittman. They have celebrated 62 years of marriage. She is survived by her husband, John, four married daughters, Joan (Robert) Clark of Manchester, MO, Patricia (Roger) Dettenmeier of Collinsville, IL, Marcia (Frank) Klunk of Godfrey, IL, and Theresa (Andrew) Gratton of Alton, IL. There are 10 grandchildren; David Dettenmeier of Collinsville, Robert Clark III of Manchester, MO, Nicholas (Colleen) Dettenmeier of Edwardsville, IL, Matthew (Julie, fiancée), Dettenmeier of Maryville, IL, Katherine Clark of Manchester, MO, Adam Dettenmeier of Collinsville, IL, Frank Klunk, Jr. of Godfrey, IL, Jonathan Klunk of Godfrey, IL, Sarah Gratton of Alton, IL and Lucas Gratton of Alton, IL.

Before her marriage and children, Joan worked in the business office of a local Cadillac dealer and the insurance department at St. Joseph’s Hospital. In 1955, John and Joan started a television rental business serving the three Alton area hospitals. She worked 23 years as the “Television Lady” and worked daily except on Christmas.

John and Joan bought the family farm and moved there in the summer of 1964; it had been in the Wittman family since 1873. Joan worked alongside her husband in the farming operation and became the manager of a hog confinement operation from 1978-1991. Joan lived on the farm for 45 years until illness forced institutional confinement.

Joan loved going shopping and going to auctions. She managed a large garden and enjoyed canning the produce. She was a 4-H leader and helped with Girl Scouts for many years. Joan was president of the Tri-County Antique Auxiliary Club for several years. She and John made homemade lemon shake-up drinks at many local events for more than 20 years.

Joan and John enjoyed going to the summertime Muny opera in Forest Park, St. Louis, MO and they were season ticket holders for 35 years (1979-2015) until Joan’s immobility became a problem.

Joan was active in St. Mary’s Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic minister 1988-2008. Her ministry also served Eunice Smith Nursing Home, Skyline Tower, Four Fountains Nursing Home and Hillcrest Assisted Living. She also made home visits with Holy Communion. She was the chairperson for funeral lunches (1998-2008), managing food donations and preparing food for bereaved families following their funeral services.

Visitation for family and friends will be at Gen Funeral Home, 2409 State Street, Alton, IL 62002, on Thursday, March 9, 2017 from 4:00-7:00 pm with saying of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 pm. The funeral Mass will be Friday, March 10, 2017 at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 536 East Third Street, Alton, IL. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. There will be a funeral luncheon following at St. Mary’s Parish Center, 1015 Milton Road, Alton, IL. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Catholic School and Memorial masses. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

Obit Provided By:
Gent Funeral Home