J. DeWitt Lewis, age 72, Mahogany Trail, Findlay, Ohio and formerly of Tiffin, died at 5:00 am Thursday, December 24, 2009 in the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. He was born February 4, 1937 in Barnesville, Ohio to the late H. Carl and Burdella (McConnell) Lewis. He married Gwen Shepherd January 24, 1959 in Morristown, Ohio and she survives.
Other survivors include a son, Clay (Kelly) Lewis of Findlay; two daughters, Coleen (Jay) Kiesel of Findlay, Deanna (Tom) Parkhurst, of Columbus; nine biological grandchildren; Andréa Zhouri, who resided with him in 1979-1980 as an AFS Exchange Student from Brazil; two brothers, Harvey (Billie) Lewis of Cambridge, Ohio, Carl (Bonnie) Lewis of Barnesville; and a sister, Helen (Hollie) Detling, Barnesville.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Betty.
DeWitt was a graduate of Barnesville High School and the University of Kansas where he was an outstanding high school and college athlete. While playing football for the University of Kansas he was named MVP in 1959. He served in the United States Army where he was decorated for his service during the Vietnam Conflict. DeWitt lived and worked in Germany for five years while employed with National Machinery, from which he later retired.
DeWitt was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and the Experimental Aircraft Association Tin Goose Chapter. He was an avid aviator, starting in his military days as a helicopter pilot. From 1986-1989 he served on the YMCA board. He was devoted to his family. He enjoyed photography, computers, traveling, RVing, and camping with his grandchildren on special vacations.
Visitation with family and friends will be 10 am – 12:30 pm Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at Traunero Funeral Home, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 pm Tuesday, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Tiffin with the Rev. Gary Hicks officiating.
Contributions may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church or to the Tiffin Community Y.M.C.A. in care of Traunero Funeral Home.