CLAYTON WITTMEIER
Funeral services for Clayton Wittmeier, 91, of Avon were held Saturday, August 6 at the First Baptist Church in Avon, with Pastor Bill Van Gerpen officiating. Burial was in the Trinity Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Avon, with military honors. Peters Funeral Chapel in Avon was in charge of arrangements.
Clayton James Wittmeier was born on August 7, 1930 in rural Avon. Clayton was the son of Christ and Rosella (Fischer) Wittmeier – the seventh child in a home that wouldeventuallyhave11children. Claytondiedattheageof 91 years on Tuesday, August 2 at St. Michael’s Hospital in Tyndall.
Clayton attended Mawhinney Schoolandlefthighschool after two years to help his parentsontheirfarm.Clayton served two years (1952-1954) in the U.S. Army during the KoreanWarinAlaska...which wasconsideredoverseasduty asitwasnotoneofthe50states yet. Seven days he was on the shiptoSeward,Alaskabyway of Kodiak and the Aleutian Islands. Upon arrival, he was aradiooperatoratEielsonAir Force Base in Fairbanks for 16 months and attained the rank of Corporal. He was discharged in September of 1954.
He returned to Avon and married Minnie (Gelling) of SpringfieldonAugust24,1956 in the Emmanuel Reformed Church. They purchased the Wittmeier home place west of Avon where they spent their entire farming life until
retiring to Avon in October 2012. Clayton and Minnie were blessed with three daughters: Donna, Debra and Karen.
Clayton attended Trinity Presbyterian Church for 45 years and later the family became members of the First Baptist Church in Avon. He was baptized on June 29, 1975 by Rev. Henry Lang with his wife and three daughters. He served as a deacon, church treasurer, and other areas in the church. Clayt had been on the Avon School Board, FarmersElevatorBoard,FHA, ASCS, and the Avon Meadow ViewManorboard.Hewasalso a member of the Avon Legion and a charter member of the Bon Homme County Men’s Chorus. Clayt liked traveling with Minnie throughout the US and Canada, a good cup of coffee with friends, quartet music, raising cattle, and family times---whether with his children or family reunions. Clayt and Minnie entertained manyguestswhetherfamilyor friends over the years...which remains a highlight for his daughters. Clayt also enjoyed reading and history was a particular interest to him.
Thankfulforhavingshared his life are his three daughters: Donna (Joe) Larsen of Crooks — their two children: Jennifer (Greg) Olsen – Lincoln and Madison of Sioux Falls; Ryan (Abby) Larsen — Kaylie and Rylie of Crooks,.
Debra (Robert) Ruppelt of Tyndall – their four children: Laura (Mike) Griffith — Sadie, Evan and Cole of Sioux Falls; Lisa (Chad) Collins of CO;Brian(Steph)Ruppeltand their son Jacob of Brookings; and Eric (Anna) Ruppelt of Oakland, IA.
Karen (Larry) Johnson, their son – Chad Johnson – granddaughter Maya – all of Watertown.
Othersurvivorsincludehis sister, Gudrun Schroenrogge ofKS;brother-in-lawNorman Idlewine;sisters-in-law: Marlene Wittmeier, Avon; Tiena ZondervanofMNandWillma Wissink of Canton; several cousins and many nephews, nieces, and friends.
Clayton was preceded in death by his wife, Minnie, of 64 years; his parents; his four brothers: LeVerne, John Delbert, Russell,andEugene;five sisters: Eileen Skelton, Genevieve Kozel, Lorine Gandolfi, Kalma Koenig, and Sheila Idlewine;alsoseveralin-laws; two nieces; three nephews; and many, many friends and neighbors.
Condolences can be sent to the Wittmeier Family, Box 213, Avon.