Obituary
Service Details
WITTWER, Hans ‘John’
1923 – 2017
Hans ‘John’ Wittwer passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, at the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at age of 93 years. John was born February 10, 1923 in Brunig, Switzerland to Hans and Pauline Wittwer. He married Margaret Rachar on March 15, 1945. In 1948, John and Margaret bought the farm from his parents; and they resided there until moving to Stettler in 1986. During those years on the farm, he was caterpillar contractor, oil well operator, dairy and grain farmer and aerial crop sprayer. He received his pilot’s license in 1961 and was an avid aviator. He purchased a PA 11 to start crop spraying which was a stepping stone to many and larger aircraft throughout the years. In 1975, he purchased the Supercub which he enjoyed flying until 2013 at 90 years of age. He was a dedicated Christian, compassionate, loving husband, committed Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. He always put his family and God first. He served on the Jem Farm Missions Board, Elder’s Board at Erskine Church, Stettler Flying Club, President of Alberta Arial Applicators Association, caretaker of the Ewing Cemetery and liaison for maintenance and operations between Town, and Stettler Flying Club. For many years, he faithfully took care of the Stettler Airport grounds where he mowed, changed lights, fueled aircraft, changed windsocks and participated in Flying Club breakfasts (most often the coffee maker). He was honored by Stettler Flying Club at the annual Fly In Breakfast in September 2015 for his faithful service, by naming the Stettler Airport the “John Wittwer Field”. The sign is on display at the Airport Terminal building. John loved tinkering in his shop making lawn/yard ornaments, tire swings, kid airplanes, inventions of shop equipment for Hillman Air, restoring airplanes, tractors and antique cars. John will be lovingly remembered by his four daughters; Cyndy (Greg) Lovell of Stettler, Brenda (Jack) Lytle of Olds, Gloria (Dale) Campbell of Sylvan Lake and Barbara (Gary) Hillman of Benalto; his grandchildren; T.J. Lovell (Dana), Lyndsey (Jason), Myranda (Nolan), Veronica (Travis), Kyle, Jackie (John), Scott (Tania), Steve (Taran), Lana (Dave), and Corey (Kim); and his great grandchildren; Rylan, Noah, Lonny, Joe, Liam, Sam, Eva, Jacob, Abbey, Karter, Tyce, Lauren, Megan, Paige, Drew, and Eli. He will also be sadly missed by his daughter-in-law, Lee Kroeger of Camrose, his sisters; Marguerite Baugh and Rosemarie Repp of Stettler and Linda Therou of Renton, Washington, and a sister-in-law, June Greig. John was predeceased by his loving wife, Margaret, a son Garry, parents, Hans and Pauline Wittwer, a brother, Carl, a sister, Hattie, brothers-in-law, Jim Baugh, Erwin Repp and Russell Birdsell. A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at the Erskine Evangelical Free Church, Erskine, Alberta with Pastor Ross Helgeton officiating. Thank you to the staff at Willow Creek Lodge and Stettler Hospital and Care Centre for all the wonderful care and support that was given to Dad during his time there. Interment was held at the Lakeview Cemetery, Stettler, Alberta. Memorial donations in John’s honour can be made to the Evangelical Free Church of Erskine, Phase 3 Building Project, Box 105 Erskine, Alberta, T0C 1G0 or to Missionary Aviation Fellowship of Canada, 264 Woodlawn Road W., Guelph, Ontario, N1H 1B6. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.brennenfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Brennen Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Stettler, Alberta. 403.742.3315.
Service Information
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Hans John Wittwer February 10 1923 January 28 2017 (age 93).source
Décès pour la Ville: Stettler, Province: Alberta
