Kenneth Roger Wittl, 89, passed away peacefully at Burcham Hills Retirement Community, East Lansing, Michigan, on July 4, 2025. A former resident of Montpelier; Cheboygan, Michigan; Livonia, Michigan; and several other cities in southeast Michigan. Spending the last four years in Lansing to be near family. Ken was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on Dec. 29, 1935, to Margaret Cross Wittl and Byron A. Wittl. He was raised, attended high school and started a family in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a business degree and started working at AC Spark Plug. A decade later he moved to Michigan to work for Detroit Diesel as a systems analyst and then in other areas of GM retiring after 25 years.
He enjoyed traveling, golf, competitive target shooting, hunting and the outdoors. He was an avid golfer belonging to several leagues and even belonged to the hole-in-one club. He was a long-time member of the Michigan United Conservation Club and Western Wayne County Conservation Association. He loved to drive, which was indicated by the joy on his face in his driver's license pictures. Ken was always up for a road trip, having visited almost every state and numerous national parks. Driving to Alaska was a marvelous experience shared with his wife, Judy, and he always wanted to return. Ken was a doer; and lived by the motto: "If you are going to do something, do it right." He believed in family and the value of education.
His last travel companion was his dog, who enjoyed the blue highways too. Following Ken's wishes, cremation has taken place and the two will share their final adventure traveling the waterways of Michigan.
He is survived by his daughters, Wendy Wittl of Santa Barbara, California, Kristen Wittl (James) of Williamston, Michigan, Audrey Moore (Gordon) of Redford, Michigan, Donna Wittl (Bruce Pigozzi) of Lansing, and his first wife (ex) Diane Deffner Wittl of Livonia, Michigan; and stepchildren, Penny Fry (Thomas) of Bryan, Timothy Moll (Shelly) and Randy Moll of Montpelier. And several grand and great-grandchildren.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Byron Cross Wittl; second wife (ex), Nancy Cords Wittl; and third wife, Judith (Judy) Moll Wittl.
Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life on Tuesday Sept. 23, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. at the Bengel Wildlife Center (Michigan Wildlife Conservancy), 6380 Drumheller Road, Bath, Michigan 48808, with dinner to follow.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.GRLansing.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Funeral services provided by:
Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes900 East Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48912
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