Henry E. Wittman

Henry Emil Wittman, age 96, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, October 13, 2016, at his home. He was born on November 22, 1919, to Frank and Mary (Michalek) Wittman at the family home south of Greeley, Anderson County, Kansas. He was the fourth child. He had two older sisters, Veronica and Helena, and two brothers, Albert and Raymond. Henry attended Sutton Valley School not far from the Wittman farm. Later he attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Greeley. Henry worked on a dairy farm in Lawrence, Kansas as a teenager and picked corn by hand in Iowa. Henry was twenty-one years old when he was drafted into the Army. On December 27, 1941, he went to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was then sent to basic training at Camp Roberts in California. On April 22, 1942, he left Fort Logan, Colorado and headed to the Pacific Theater, arriving on May 14, 1942. He was sent to Australia for more training. Henry fought in the campaigns and battles of Papua, New Guinea, Southern Philippines, Luzon. (GO 33 WD 45) While in the Army, he received the Distinguished Unit badge and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star and the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained from the war. He also received the Good Conduct Medal 127th Infantry, the and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal. While in the Army he was a Staff Sergeant and Combat Infantryman; his specialty was Machine Gunner (NCO/605). He arrived back in the United States in August 1945. He was overseas in the Army three years, four months and eight days. In September 1945, Henry went on a blind date to the Topeka Fair with Hildred Bowman. They immediately fell in love and were engaged in February 1946. They were married June 4, 1946 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Greeley, Kansas. Henry and Hildred were blessed with five children, Henry Merle, Anita Kay, Charles Leo, Edwin John and Robert Joseph. Henry worked at the Church Furniture Factory in Garnett, Kansas for 45 years. He has also enjoyed farming and raising cattle. He has been a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the VFW, all of Garnett, Kansas. Henry and Hildred have enjoyed many Army reunions and traveling in the United States. They both especially enjoyed taking ship cruises and bus trips. They visited Hawaii and Pearl Harbor. They have enjoyed playing cards and going to dances with all their family and friends. They celebrated their 70th Anniversary on June 4, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Veronica Foltz and Helena Foltz; and two brothers, Albert Wittman and Raymond Wittman. Henry is survived by his wife, Hildred Wittman, of the home; his children, Merle Wittman and wife Kay of Lawrence, Kansas, Chuck Wittman and wife Kathy of Garnett, Kansas, Ed Wittman and wife Kim of Lawrence, Kansas, Robert Wittman and wife Connie of Garnett, Anita Peine and husband Eugene of Garnett; fourteen grandchildren; and seventeen great grandchildren; and one great great granddaughter. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, October 17, 2016, at Holy Angels Catholic Church, Garnett. Burial will follow in the Holy Angels Cemetery, Garnett. The family will greet friends following a Rosary at 7:00 PM Sunday evening at Holy Angels Church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose School and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .