Edward (Ed) John Witek

STOW - Edward (Ed) John Witek, Sr., 97, passed away on May 23, 2025.

Ed was born in Newport Township, PA, on September 28, 1927, the youngest of eight children born to coal-mining Polish immigrants. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he married June Lacey, his high school sweetheart in 1948. Graduating from Penn State with a degree in chemical engineering, he joined Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in 1951. Over the next 38 years, mainly in the international division, he held many roles including Chief Chemist, Plant Manager, Chief Engineer and Regional Development Manager for Asia and Africa. In the 1950s, his work transplanted the family to Cali, Colombia, where Ed mastered the Spanish language. The 60s found the family in Sydney, Australia. Returning to America, he continued to travel extensively to Europe, Asia and Africa, visiting 32 countries. The highlight was a four-week technical tour in China in 1980 at the invitation of the People’s Republic. At home in Stow, Ed and June were known for graciously entertaining many Goodyear associates visiting from foreign countries.

Athletic and tall, Ed played basketball at Wilkes College and at Penn State. Later golfing became his passion! He also enjoyed gardening, collecting stamps and investing. He was a long-time member and officer of the Wampum Stock Investment Club. He volunteered with the Stow Jaycees and at Holy Family Catholic Church and enjoyed the camaraderie of Goodyear Retiree Luncheons. Ed was known for being hard-working, grateful and kind. When faced with June’s dementia, he selflessly provided care for her at home over many years until her death.

He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen Pidjeon of Boise, ID and Diane Racz (Ron) of Austintown, OH; sons, Edward Witek, Jr. of Stow and Dr. James Witek (Mark Pettegrow) of Pt. Pleasant, PA; three grandchildren, Brian, Matthew and Laura, and seven great-grandchildren, Mitchell, Charlie, Levi, Madison, Oliver, Grant and Owen.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, June; his parents, Frank and Victoria Delekta Witek, and siblings, Stacia, Fran, Irene, Romilda, Joseph, Peter and Bernard.

The family wishes to express deep gratitude to Edward Witek, Jr., for the diligent and loving care he provided his father over the last 5 ½ years, and to the compassionate staff at Mulberry Gardens Memory Care who provided care in his final days.

Friends are invited to visit with the family at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow, 44224, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, from 5 to 7 PM. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 3179 Kent Road, Stow, 44224, on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 10 AM. Interment will immediately follow at Silver Springs Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church, Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.

Mr. Witek's video tribute and guestbook will be available at redmonfuneralhome.com