Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

John Eldon Witmer[1, 2]

Male 1914 - 2014  (99 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name John Eldon Witmer 
    Born 17 Oct 1914  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Gender Male 
    Residence 1933  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Eby ID Number 00003-605.901 
    Died 19 Mar 2014  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Buried First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 3
    Person ID I25269  Generations
    Last Modified 6 Apr 2024 

    Father Rev. John Wesley Witmer,   b. 27 May 1879, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Feb 1960, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 80 years) 
    Mother Almeda Hallman,   b. 25 Dec 1878, Howick Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 Dec 1920, Petersburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 41 years) 
    Family ID F5695  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Lauretta Boshart,   b. 17 May 1912, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 Aug 2011, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 99 years) 
    Children 
     1. Murray Witmer
     2. John Murray "Murray" Witmer
     3. Dorene Katherine Witmer
     4. James Bruce "Jim" Witmer
     5. Judith Marie Witmer,   b. 14 Mar 1947,   d. 5 Feb 1951  (Age 3 years)
    Last Modified 7 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F6491  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Witmer, John Eldon
      October 17, 1914 - March 19, 201
      Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he will be sadly missed. In his 100th year, Eldon passed away peacefully on March 19, 2014, at Trinity Village Care Centre. Eldon's wife, Lauretta Boshart, passed away August 29, 2011. He is survived by son, Murray Witmer (Ruth), daughter, Dorene Rudy-Snyder (Doug Snyder), son James Witmer (Dianne). Lovingly remembered by his nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Predeceased by daughter Judith Marie Witmer in 1951. Predeceased by parents Rev. John Wesley and Almeda (Hallman) Witmer, stepmothers Selina Knechtel Witmer, Ada Bechtel Witmer, and Minnie Brooks. Eldon was the last living relative in the Witmer and Boshart families. He was predeceased by Witmer siblings and their spouses, Vernon (Vinetta) Witmer, Luella (Vernon) Schott, Grace (Lloyd) Sider, Edward (Elmina) Witmer, William (Alice) Witmer, and Melvin (Ethel) Witmer, and Morgan Witmer (died at 2 years of age). Predeceased by Boshart siblings and spouses Moses (Bertha) Boshart, John (Ida) Boshart, Netta (Moses) Gingerich, Lily (Ezra) Brenneman, Mary Boshart, Menno (Mynetta) Boshart, Simeon (Esther) Boshart, Aaron (Marion) Boshart, Gideon (Pearl) Boshart, Luella (Clarence) Erb, and Elmina (Edward) Witmer. Dad was born on a farm in Rosebank, ON, and was baptized as a member of the Mannheim Mennonite Church where his father was pastor. Through the years Dad's careers included: Burkhart Dairy, Dunker Construction, Weston's Bakery, Custodian for First Mennonite Church and Bible Institute, Chesley Lake Camp Manager, Provident Book Store as shipper and receiver, and for Herald Press as Book Distributor. He retired in 1981 at sixty-seven years of age and said that was way too early! During his time at First Mennonite Church he taught the Youth Class and he and mom were Youth Sponsors for 3 years. Then he became Adult Superintendent. For forty years he was on the Church Council (eight years as Council Chair) with pastors C.F. Derstine, John Hess, Ed Metzger and Bob Johnson. Mom and Dad lived at Fairview Mennonite Home for thirteen years. With sadness, but wanting to be closer to his children, Dad moved to Trinity Village Care Centre in October 2013. We are so pleased with the love, care and concern shown to Dad from Fairview Mennonite Home and Trinity Village Care Centre. Dad will be dearly missed for his twinkling smile, warm gentle hugs and loving accepting manner. He loved life and lived his faith each day. Friends are invited to share their memories of Eldon with his family during memorial visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home , 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Cremation has already taken place. On Wednesday, March 26, 2014, interment at 11: 00 a.m. at First Mennonite Church Cemetery. The memorial service will be held at First Mennonite Church, 800 King Street E., Kitchener at 11: 30 a.m. with Pastor Nancy Brubaker officiating. Reception to follow after the church service. Condolences for the family and donations to First Mennonite Church, MennoHomes Inc., and Fairview Mennonite Home may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.

      Waterloo Region Record, March 22, 2014

  • Sources 
    1. [S47] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - First Mennonite CC#4507 Internet link First Mennonite Cemetery online.
      Witmer / Lauretta / (Boshart) / 1912- / John Eldon / Witmer / 1914- / their beloved daughter / Judith Marie 1947-1951

    2. [S2403] News - Unidentified Newspaper Obituary, Obituary of Magdalena Gerber - Boshart.

    3. [S602] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - The Waterloo Region Record (March 2008- ), Obituary of John Eldon Witmer - March 22, 2014.

    4. [S8] News - Gospel Herald, December 21, 1933 - Obituary of Selina Knechtel.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 17 Oct 1914 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1933 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 19 Mar 2014 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth