Wallace Mathias “Ick” Witte, 87, of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, passed away Thursday September 3, 2020 in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
He was born March 9, 1933 in Aurora, IN, son of the late Walter M Witte and Dora (Andrews) Witte.
Wally served his country as a member of the United States Air Force. He enlisted in the US Air Force 1953 to 1957. He was stationed at Randolph Field in San Antonio, Texas and Hickum Field in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Wally worked as a Riverboat Captain for I & M, retiring after over 41 years of service.
He attended Plum Point School in Aurora for eight years and graduated from Aurora High School in 1951. He was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church, Bellaire. Wally was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church since 1962 and served on the church council.
Uncle Oscar (Ock) Witte gave him the nickname Pip from the baseball player Wally Pip. His younger sisters were unable to say Pip and began calling him Ick or Icky, and it stuck! He worked at Seagram’s Distilleries mill and bottling floor from May to December 1951. He then worked for Indiana and Michigan Electric Company from December 23, 1951 to March 31, 1993, 41 years and 3 months. He was a Retired Riverboat Captain. Wally met Johanna Knopf at Coon Hunters in Batesville on New Year’s Eve 1959, and they were married on May 20, 1961. In 1987 he began prospecting for gold in Grants, New Mexico, going twice a year until recent years. Philip Cee, Howard Terrill, David Witte, Dorothy Witte, Shirley Steiner, Johanna Witte, Owen Witte, and Terry Duffey have all journeyed to Grants to find the 20 mule loads of gold hidden in them thar hills! His retirement activities consisted of buying and selling tropical fish and aquariums, Wally’s Weedeater Repair, the Witte Winery, the auction circuit and the care of fruit and persimmon trees.
Wally is survived by his loving spouse of 59 years, Johanna Witte; children, Ed Witte of Fishers, IN, Karen Tailby (Sean) of Fishers, IN, David Witte of Lawrenceburg, IN, Teresa Witte of Cincinnati OH; grandchildren, Gus Gamez, Daiane (Phil) Hyde, Grant Witte, Meghan Witte, Nathan Tailby, and Matthew Tailby; sisters, Dorothy Witte of Cincinnati, OH, Shirley Steiner of Aurora, IN, Arlene Hempleman of Rocklin, CA; great-grandchildren, Foster & Frankie Hyde.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Owen, Leon, and Raymond Witte, sisters, Henrietta Hubbard, Catherine Droege, and Margie Witte.
Friends will be received Tuesday, September 8, 2020, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the St. John’s Lutheran Church Bellaire, 4937 State Road 48 Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
Services will be held at the church on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 11:00 am with Rev. Debby Allen officiating.
Interment will follow in the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery Bellaire, Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Military graveside services will be conducted by members of local Veterans Service Organizations.
Contributions may be made to the St. John Lutheran Church or Lawrenceburg Life Squad. If unable to attend services, please call the funeral home office at (812) 926-1450 and we will notify the family of your donation with a card.
Due to the current situation dealing with COVID-19, we are following the directives from Governor Holcomb and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning large events and mass gatherings. The family deeply appreciates the support and love shown from friends, but the health and well being of everyone in our community is of top priority. We are asking everyone who will be in attendance to please remember the social distancing guidelines at all times, and the wearing of masks is highly recommended.
Alternative ways to express your condolences can be done by going online at our website and leaving the family a message, sending a card, flowers, or making a donation in memory of their loved one.
Visit: www.rullmans.com