Joseph DeWitt Obituary
Joseph was preceded in death by his grandparents, his parents Hughey Woodward DeWitt and Barbara Ann (Kelly) DeWitt, and his brother David Michael DeWitt. Joseph is survived by his wife Jan, his sons David and Michael, his step-sons Jim and Bill Orlando, Jan's family, his sister Stephanie (DeWitt) Luther of Springfield, his brother Charles (Deb) DeWitt of Knoxville, Tennessee, his aunt and cousins, and his many nieces and nephews and their children.
Joseph and Jan have been faithful congregants at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Parrish, and Joseph took great pride in helping to take care of his neighborhood with his fellow volunteers as chair of the Forest Creek Community Development District.
Joseph was an avid Packard antique car enthusiast. He also took pride in caring for his parents and relatives and mentoring many employees over the years. Joseph had special nicknames for everybody close to him.
Joseph was born on Jan. 4, 1955, in Springfield, Ohio. He grew up in Springfield, attending St. Teresa primary school, working at Springfield Country Club, and graduating from Springfield Catholic Central High School in 1973.
Joseph attended Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth Beach, Florida before moving back to Springfield where he graduated from Wittenberg University in 1980.
Joseph managed the Ashtabula Country Club; Glengarry Country Club in Holland, Ohio; Hawthorne Valley Country Club in Solon, Ohio; Congress Lake Club in Hartville, Ohio; and Idle Hour Country Club in Lexington, Kentucky, where he and Jan officially tied the knot in 2008. Joseph also managed the University Club of Tampa. He retired in 2020.
A memorial and remembrance will be held in Springfield later this autumn and will be announced at a later date.
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25 Entries
Jimmy and Donna Nielsen
Yesterday
Jan and family, we are so saddened to hear about Joes passing. He was such a wonderful and giving person. Jimmy worked with Joe often and always enjoyed his company. He truly made the neighborhood a better place and will be missed by everyone. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Erik Ahbel
September 9, 2025
Dear Jan, My friendship with Joe was during his stewardship at Congress Lake in Hartville Ohio. As a member and supplier of beverages, I spoke with Joe weekly. I admired his professional management skill. Predictable, transparent, consistent, and he quickly took off his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves. In his personal life he was grounded into things that mattered. Family, friends, and conservative life style. Joe influenced my life. There are so many who miss Joe. God Bless. Erik Ahbel
Bonnie/Mike O´Hair
September 8, 2025
So sorry for this loss. Joe was a great guy in our community. He will be missed.
Julie Harvey
September 8, 2025
Dear Jan,
I remember the first time meeting both you and Joe. It was at a chili supper at my house. I was in hope of finding good candidates to run for our CDD neighborhood board, and I was so happy after learning about Joe´s background and interest in helping Forest Creek. My Mom loved Joe, too. He was always so kind and welcoming to her and my son.
Joe was a special person and he will be missed.
My sincere condolences to you and your families. May you find comfort in knowing he´s in Gods loving arms and no longer in pain. God Bless,
Julie and Jake Harvey
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Ken Schmitt
September 8, 2025
Joey "D" was such a caring compassionate human.
His love of antique cars, small college athletics, his religion, and Forest Creek were undeniable.
May God Bless and Grace your soul Joey "D" May your next stop on your eternal journey be divine.
Dennis Beville
September 8, 2025
Our deepest sympathies for Jan and her family. Joe was a true and faithful servant and loved by everyone in the Forest Creek community. What a pleasure and privilege to have known Joe. Always a smile on his face and a hello. Rest in peace.
Denny and Francie Beville and family.
Waltr Wolf
September 7, 2025
Joe, your mentorship and friendship will never be forgotten. Your steady guidance and calm manner on the many challenges we faced always got us through. You will be missed but never forgotten.
Valarie and Rich Brown
September 7, 2025
This Facebook post right here from 5 years ago says it all. Joe ( and Jan ) are the ultimate neighbors! Joe was always willing to lend a hand to ANYONE in the community. This was 5 years ago but it wasn't the only time he has helped Rich and I out. Joe was such a sweet gentle man, reminding me so much of my Uncle Bill who we lost a few years back. Rich and I will miss Joe immensely and will pray for peace for Jan.
Linda Ziemba
September 6, 2025
Joe was an amazing man. Always happy. He would always greet you by name. On my many walks and bike rides you would see Joe working endlessly in our beautiful community. I know he will be looking over us and he will always be the heart of our community. My prayers to his wife Jan. Now it´s his turn to watch over her and be her special Angel.
Diana Williams
September 6, 2025
He was a great man and a role model, to many. The mold was broken and the bar was set to excellent standards. Go rest high on that mountain, my friend. You will be missed.
Deysi Quiroz
September 6, 2025
Mr. DeWitt was an amazing guy he gave me my first job ever at Idle Hour Country Club. He attended my quinceañera in 2015 and he wrote me and mailed me an amazing recommendation letter for college after he had moved. I always thought about him and wondered how he was doing after he left. I´m so sad to hear this news he´ll forever be in our hearts. My thoughts and prayers for his family.
Cindy McMurry
September 6, 2025
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. DeWitt´s passing. I enjoyed working with him at Idle Hour Country Club and learned so much from him. I often thought about him over the years. Keeping Jan and his family in my thoughts and prayers.
Annette Blair
September 6, 2025
Joe was an awesome neighbor, and he will be sorely missed in Forest Creek neighborhood. We´d often see him having fun riding his bike with his beautiful bride, Jan, and working tirelessly on the landscaping in the neighborhood. He served on the CDD board, and we were most grateful for his service! We´ll also miss him as an usher at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. He always had a smile and a kind word for everyone he encountered.
Joe, you´re in my prayers, and we will watch over Jan for you!
Mark Lane
September 6, 2025
I met Joe a little over three years ago when I moved into a house across the street from he and Jan. He was the first person to welcome me (with open arms). I volunteered with him working around the neighborhood and we became fast friends. He was one of the best men I´ve ever known. I´m a better person for having known Joe. He will be missed, dearly. Goodbye, my friend. Peace and much love to you, Jan, as you venture forward without him.
Kevin McLaughlin
September 6, 2025
Joe was a wonderful friend in high school especially on the high school basketball team. He kept things light in the face of our mediocre coaches and was good at de-escalating when tempers flared.
Our lives were separated by the continent, Joe went South whilst I headed West.
It was always such fun to see him at class reunions.
To his immediate family, I must reveal that Joe nearly ended it for half the team when his VW bug stalled while going around the Main St RR crossing gates. Meanwhile, my Dad, a railroad engineer, was blaring the horn on his 50 ton locomotive that was bearing down on us less than 100 feet away. Fortunately, Joe cranked up the Bug when it was just 50 feet away. We screamed and cried and beat Joe about the head and shoulders in relief and delight.
RIP my friend,
Kevin McLaughlin
Long Beach, CA
Daniel Lynch
September 5, 2025
Joe was my first boss and laid the groundwork for so much of my professional career. He was a fantastic and fair leader and I learned more than I can describe from him. He will be missed. I made some of the best friends I could ask for at Idle Hour Country Club and his memory will live on with us!
Hari Purwoko
September 4, 2025
What a great guy , great mentor , great dad , we really sad of loosing him .
May Mr. DeWitt Rest In Peace . All memories about you forever in our heart .
HP
Idle hour country club 2011-2022
Hank and Tina Rutschow
September 4, 2025
Jan we are very sorry to hear this news. We're praying for peace and comfort for you, the boys and families. I met JKD in Ashtabula and we have great memories with him through so many years. Knowing Joe is home and resting. You and Joe will always be in our hearts. Love Hank and Tina.
Terry Weglicki
September 4, 2025
Dear Jan and Joes family:
I am saddened by the news of Joe's passing. He was an important part of many lives throughout the years, and I have many fond memories of him from times shared at Hawthorne Valley Country Club.
May you feel God's peace as you make your way through this difficult time.
Sincerely and with many prayers,
Terry Weglicki
Tom Corr
September 4, 2025
Condolences from the Monday night group at Christ the King in Lexington. Joe was a key leader in our group. Tom Corr
Bob Shannon
September 4, 2025
I'm so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He will be greatly missed. And his words of wisdom will live forever. May you rest in peace Joe!
Kathy and Ed Cherney
September 4, 2025
Jan: we are saddened by this news, but know Joe is at peace and watching from above. He was such a kind and classy gentleman. We enjoyed his company, along with you of course, and will miss those times together. May you also find peace as you make your way through this difficult time. Ed and I send love and prayers.
Lynn Fioritto
September 4, 2025
A finer Gentleman you will never find. Rest in Peace "Mr. DeWitt"
Lynn Fioritto
Chuck DeWitt
September 4, 2025
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