H. Howard Witmer

H. Howard Witmer, 93, of Lititz, and formerly of Manheim, passed away at Landis Homes, Lititz, on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. Born August 24, 1925 to the late J. Earl and Ruth Mae Shearer Witmer. He was the husband of Miriam Mohler Witmer with whom he shared 66 years of marriage. He was a lifetime member of Erisman Mennonite Church in Rapho Township.

Howard was a retired Bishop of the Lancaster Mennonite Conference. He was an overseer of Mennonite Churches in the Manheim and Williamsport-Milton district. He served as secretary of Lancaster Conference. He made a number of fraternal visits to the Mennonite Churches in Southeast Asia. Howard served on various Boards of Eastern Mennonite Missions, Eastern Mennonite Seminary, and Philhaven Hospital. He served in Civilian Public Service during World War II.

His interests were his family and churches. Howard enjoyed reading and studying. His hobbies were raising sheep, gardening, bee keeping, broom making, and genealogy. For many years he and his wife operated Witmer’s Kitchen Kourner gadget stand at Roots Country Market. During retirement he enjoyed volunteering at Mennonite Central Committee in Ephrata.

Surviving in addition to his wife Miriam, is a daughter, Arlene wife of Mahlon Yoder of Baltic, OH, and a son Dave Witmer, of Stuart, FL, five granddaughters: Jenni wife of Daniel Kirkley, Audra wife of Jared Peifer, Rachel wife of Zach Miller, Annie Yoder companion of Jade Le, and Caroline wife of Drew McComber, twelve great grandchildren, and a sister, Reba Miller of Lititz. Preceding him in death is a daughter-in-law, Carol Witmer, and a brother, J. Abram Witmer.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Howard’s memorial service at Landis Homes Retirement Community, WEST BETHANY CHAPEL, 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz, on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 10:00 AM. Friends may visit with the family at Landis Homes Retirement Community, WEST BETHANY CHAPEL, on Friday evening, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. There will be no visitation on Saturday morning. Interment will be private in Erisman Mennonite Cemetery. Those desiring may send contributions in Howard’s memory to Landis Homes Caring Fund, 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz, PA 17543.