Dr. David Benton Witte

Dr. David Witte, 74, of South Haven died at home, Thursday, December 28 after a 10 month battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born August 20, 1932 in Toledo, Ohio to Lloyd and Althea (Phillips) Witte. He attended high school in Bowling Green, Ohio where he met and married Jane Lance on March 20, 1951. He began his college education at Bowling Green State University, transferred to Ohio State and received his medical degree from the University of Michigan in 1958. His first years of practice were in Traverse City and Buchanan before moving to South haven in 1961. David served the community as a family physician for nearly 40 years. He was the first physician in South Haven to be certified by the American Board of Family Practice. He was one of the last physicians to make house calls and to take a bushel of tomatoes and a loaf of banana bread as payment for an office visit! He truly knew and loved his patients and their families. He had a special tenderness for babies and the elderly. He reluctantly retied from practicing medicine when he found himself having to deal more with paper and less with people. Following retirement, he continued to look for ways to help and encourage people by volunteering for South Haven Area Hospice and South Haven Senior Services. He had a gentle spirit and a servant’s heart.

Dr Witte was a very simple man who had a great appreciation for nature and being outdoors. He loved riding his bicycle, hiking, swimming in the lake. He continually marveled at the majesty and detail of God’s creation and had a special talent for capturing it on film. His photography graces many a home and office building around town. His love of flowers and his creative abilities led him to become the unofficial “landscaper” of Evergreen Bluff. Residents there will enjoy his work for years to come!

David was a quiet man of great faith. For most of his adult life, he was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in South Haven. His children all attended the church’s school and served on many boards and committees there over the years. He loved music and enjoyed singing in the choir. At the time of his death, he attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Bangor where he was also a faithful and active member. His love of God’s word and his faith in his Savior provided the cornerstone upon which he built his life.

In addition to his faith, David’s life was defined by his commitment to his family. His favorite pastime was attending anything that any of his children or grandchildren were involved in. He has a close personal relationship with each one of them. His legacy of love and support will live on through them, but will be surely missed by all.

He is preceded in death along with his parents by a brother – Phillip Witte. A grandson – Russell Buck in 2006.

He is survived by his wife – Jane Witte of South Haven, Michigan. Five children – Valarie (Rod) Sievers of South Haven, Michigan, Sharon (Drew) Buck of New Ulm, MN, Steve (Mary) Witte of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Dan (Debi) Witte of Crete, Illinois, and Margaret (Jay) Witte Cowell of Watervliet, Michigan. 12 grandchildren. One brother – Michael (Sherry) Witte of Bastrop, Texas.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 2 from 5 – 8 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. Memorial services will be Wednesday at 11:00 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bangor with Pastor Joshua Becker and Pastor William Balza officiating. Burial will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery, Bowling Green, Ohio. Memorial contributions can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or the St. Paul Church Organ Fund. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven 637-0333.