Obituary of Robert J. Witter

Robert J. Witter Allegany, NY—Robert J. Witter, 79, recently of 2936 Five Mile Rd. died Tuesday (April 8, 2008) in the Olean General Hospital after a long illness. Born March 15, 1929 in Olean, NY he was the son of !LeRoy E. and Malita A. Clemons Witter, Sr. On April 8, 1950 at the First Methodist Church in Olean he married Geraldine L. Everetts who survives. Mr. Witter was a 1947 graduate of Olean High School and had been a lifelong resident of Olean. He had served as a Hospital Corpsman 3rd class with the US Navy from 1947 to 1949. He was first employed as a lab assistant for the former Houghton Lab (later Hysol Co.) from 1950 to 1951 and then for the Pennsylvania Railroad until 1952. In 1952 he began employment with Dresser Rand Co., retiring on January 29, 1988 as quality control supervisor. From 1988 until the present he was employed at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home in Olean where he enjoyed his retirement years helping others. He was a member of the Christ United Methodist Church in Olean and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #616. Since 1961 he and his wife had enjoyed yearly trips to Las Vegas, Nevada to the home of his sister-in-law. He had been an active bowler for over 50 years, having bowled in area leagues and he served as the secretary/treasurer of the mixed doubles league. His other interests included hunting and fishing. He will be remembered as one who was always ready to help others, especially his family and neighbors. Surviving besides his wife are 1 son Jeffery J. Witter of Hinsdale; 1 daughter Ellen L. (Stanley) Kosinski of Olean; 6 grandchildren Cheri (Jimmie) Machin of Olean, Robert (Kara) Kosinski of Olean, Beth (Brian) Buzzendore of Columbus, PA, Bradley Witter of Hinsdale, Kaytie Witter of Hinsdale and Jessica Shaffer, serving with the US Navy in Woodebe Island,WA; 3 great grandchildren Shawn Machin of Olean, Teagan Kosinski of Olean and Jonathon Buzzendore of Columbus, PA; 3 brothers Charles M. (Rose) Witter of Portville, Ray L. (Janet) Witter of Wellsville and Richard (Pat) Witter of Olean; 2 sisters Naomi F. !MacNeal of Olean and Gloria Bright of Olean and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 1 sister Donna M. Gray; 3 brothers !LeRoy E. Witter, Jr., Donald W. Witter and Daniel R. Witter and a daughter-in-law Lynn M. Witter on August 23, 2006. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean on Wednesday from 7-9pm and Thursday from 2-4 & 7-9pm. Funeral services will be held Friday (April 11, 2008) at 11:00am in the funeral home. Rev. Ron Reichman, chaplain at Olean General Hospital, will officiate in the absence of Rev. Kristen Allen and Rev. William Allen, co-pastors of Christ United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Hinsdale Cemetery in Maplehurst, NY. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Marie Lorenz Dialysis Unit 623 Main St. Olean, NY 14760 or to the Trans Am Ambulance Service 308 N. 8th St. Olean, NY 14760.