Sister Wittman

Sister Wilma Wittman (Mother Mary Basil), OSU, died peacefully March 4, 2019, at St. Andrew's at Francis Place in Eureka, Missouri. 

The daughter of John Sigmund Wittman and Marie Augusta Myers Wittman, she was born May 2, 1924, in Alton, where she graduated from Marquette High School. She entered the Ursuline Sisters in Crystal City, Missouri, in 1942 and made her vows in 1945. She earned a bachelor's degree in English at the College of New Rochelle in New York and a master's degree in education at St. Louis University.

Sister Wilma's long and colorful teaching career found her serving in Decatur and Alton, Illinois, and Galveston, Texas. She served as principal in both Decatur and Alton. She also served as prioress of the Decatur Ursuline Community. She retired from Marquette High School in Alton in June 1996 after nearly 50 years of ministry in Catholic Schools. She was known for her beautiful photography and her love of nature.

Sister Wilma is survived by three brothers, John, Robert and Richard, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Rosalie Wittman Schwaegel and Virginia Wittman Ervin.

A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2019, at St. Ambrose Church, 820 W. Homer Adams Pkwy., Godfrey, Illinois, with the Rev. Steven Janoski presiding. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Ursuline Sisters Retirement Fund, 353 S. Sappington, St. Louis, MO 63122.

Staten-Fine Funeral Home in Alton is handling the arrangements. Online guestbook and condolences may be found online at http://www.staten-fine.com

Obit Provided By:
Staten Fine Funeral Home & Crematory