Obituary of Robert Witmer
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Robert was born on a farm halfway between New Dundee and Petersburg Ontario on May 15, 1929 and died in his 93 year on December 2nd, 2021.
He is predeceased by his parents Vernon and Vinetta (Shantz)Witmer, his sister Marjorie Schantz (Ralph), and 2 grandsons Chad Bowman (1994) and Charles Alexander (Alex) (2020). He is survived by his wife Anna Lois Martin, his sister Margaret Hoover, his brothers Ross Witmer and Fred Witmer, his sister Dorothy Phillips, his brother Glen Witmer, his children Cathy Bowman (Jim), Debra Townsend (James), Phil Witmer (Mandy), Gerald Witmer (Brenda), Myriam Vandenbroucque (Edgard), his grandchildren Kim (Gary)Martin, Rachel (Khadar) Bowman-Abdi , Annalea Townsend- Furgason (Kenny), Krista Townsend, David Witmer, Chris Witmer, Adam Witmer, Sophie Witmer, and 4 great grandchildren: Simon, Avry, Aden, Elias, and Joy Rim.
While growing up, his family attended Mannheim Mennonite Church just outside the hamlet of Mannheim, Ontario. Robert was a member of the first graduating class at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate. He paid his way through high school first by milking cows on a local farm, doing custodial work at Rockway and then developing a very successful business selling vaccum cleaners door to door. Robert was an entrepreneur at heart, a skill that he put to good use in every aspect of his life. While he had the opportunity to pursue a career in business, his calling led him in a totally different direction.
Sometime during his highschool years, he felt the call to do Christian mission work. In 1949, Robert and Lois got married, and went to study at Eastern Mennonite College in Virginia, followed by a move to Goshen, Indiana for seminary studies in 1953.
In the spring of 1956, Bob and Lois were asked by the Mennonite Board of Missions (MBM) if they would be interested in doing mission work in Paris, France. They accepted the call, and arrived in Paris in November 1956. Their work in the Paris area involved church planting and ministering, but soon developed into an outreach in the form of workshops for adults with mental handicaps. The first one on the church property in Châtenay Malabry, and a second on a farm at HauteFeuilles, just east of Paris. This outreach has now developed to include a multitude of workshops around France.
In 1984, their mission work led them to north-western Quebec where they ministered for 10 years to the church in Rouyn-Noranda. They have resided in a cottage at Fairview Mennonite Home from 1995 to the present, and actively contributed to the life and activities of that community during those years.
To attend the visitation, relatives and friends must RSVP at www.erbgood.com or by calling 519-745-8445. Visitation will be held at Preston Mennonite Church, 791 Concession Road, Cambridge on Wednesday, December 8 from 6-8pm. A private family service will take place on Thursday, December 9 at 2pm. The service will be livestreamed, and the link will be available on his online obituary page at www.erbgood.com.
Condolences for the family and donations to Pro Shield Lodge (arranged through Preston Mennonite Church) can be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Robert
Witmer 1929 2021..
erb & good family funeral home
Death notice for the town of: Waterloo, Province: Ontario