Clifford Witmer

MORTON - Clifford Samuel Witmer, 95, of Morton, formerly of Sterling, passed away on Thursday, June 17, 2010.

He went to be with his Lord, with his daughters at his bedside at Apostolic Christian Restmor of Morton, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's.

Clifford was born March 26, 1915, to Samuel and Edith (Hensler) Witmer at home on their farm in Morrison. He married Grace Shank on March 12, 1941. She preceded him in death on Sept. 30, 2006.

Clifford farmed in the Dixon/Sterling area for 40 years before retiring and moving into town. When his wife had a stroke in 2005, they moved to Morton to be near their two daughters.

He was a lifelong member of the Science Ridge Mennonite Church. He was also a member of the Farm Bureau and Milk Producers Association. Clifford will be remembered for his conscientiousness, quietness, always ready smile and twinkling eyes. He loved his Lord, his family, his farm and livestock, in that order. Clifford also loved gardening, woodworking and visiting shut-ins. He was often found reading his Bible. Clifford was a wonderful brother, husband, father and grandfather and a great example of faithfulness to his Lord and Savior.

Survivors include two daughters, Madeline (Kenneth) Saltzman of Morton and Linda (Ray) Zimmerman of East Peoria; three sisters, Flossie Horst of Mount Morris, Lorna Witmer of Sterling and Alice (Merle) Ebersole of Dixon; five grandchildren, Andrew (Holly) Saltzman of Kalona, Iowa, Joey Saltzman of Morton, Ryan (Amanda) Zimmerman of East Peoria, Sara (Brian) Lehman of Eureka and Jodi Zimmerman of East Peoria; and four great-grandchildren, Grace, Hope and Faith Saltzman, all of Kalona, Iowa, and Hayden Zimmerman of East Peoria.

He was also preceded in death by four sisters, Mary Emily Witmer in childhood, Ethel Ebersole, Gladys Hess and Mabel Hess; and two brothers, Harry and Henry Witmer.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 21, 2010, at Science Ridge Mennonite Church, with nephew Steve Hess of Kenton, Ohio, officiating. Burial will be in the Science Ridge Mennonite Cemetery in Sterling. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 20, 2010, at the Schilling Funeral Home in Sterling.

A memorial has been established to the Apostolic Christian Timber Ridge, a home for the handicapped where a grandson lives. Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com.