Paul E. Wittwer

Paul E. Wittwer, age 80, of Ripon, WI, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 21, 2025 at Silver Rose Senior Living, Wild Rose, WI, where he had been residing for the past year as he dealt with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia.

Paul was born on January 1, 1945 to Willis and Kathryn (Jabs) Wittwer, Belleville, WI. Growing up on a farm, he attended Belleville High School and went on to earn a Business Degree in Accounting from UW-Platteville. On February 3, 1968, he married JoAnn (Jelle) at Primrose Lutheran Church near Belleville. Together, they went on to build a life in Ripon where they raised their two sons, Mark and Brian.

The majority of Paul’s business career was spent working at M&I Bank and R-Line Foods/Smuckers in Ripon where he was an active member of the Jaycees and served as an usher at Grace Lutheran Church.

Paul was kind, thoughtful of others, very social, humorous, and fun to be with. A quiet guy with a dry sense of humor, Paul could suddenly have the whole room laughing with his own creative comeback during a conversation. He was always smiling with that twinkle in his eyes and had a warm, humorous greeting when you walked in the door.

There were many things Paul enjoyed - like keeping a well manicured yard and washing and polishing his cars through the years. For fun, Paul liked to dance the Hop Polka with JoAnn whenever they were at a wedding dance or near a polka band. He also enjoyed boating, motorcycling, going out to eat with friends, traveling, playing cards, and listening to music - especially Roy Orbison, Elvis, and any country performer. When it came to favorite foods, Paul enjoyed his wife’s cooking, but he also loved going to Schwarz’s Supper Club. A home based New Year’s Eve party tradition was carried on for years with friends, always ushering in Paul’s birthday the next day.

After retirement, Paul and JoAnn enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica, and to see fall colors on the East Coast. In younger years, they took their sons to Disney World.

Family brought out the pride Paul often felt through the years. During his sons’ school years, Paul enjoyed going to their sports competitions and other school events. He took pride in the fact that both of his sons earned college degrees from UW-Whitewater. In later years, the grandchildren’s accomplishments and their visits brought smiles and hugs.

Paul is survived by his wife of 57 years, JoAnn; sons, Mark (Stephanie) Wittwer of Mount Pleasant, WI, and Brian Wittwer of Ripon, WI; four grandchildren, Alex, Nathan, Raina, and Carter; a brother, Harland (Leloni) Wittwer of Jasper, IN; and a brother-in-law, David (Laura) Jelle of North Freedom, WI. He is further survived by several extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Kathryn Wittwer; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Donald and Dorothy Jelle; and a brother-in-law, Paul Jelle.

Paul’s family would like to thank Joy and Myron Ewald, who own, operate and reside at Silver Rose Senior Living, for giving Paul exceptional one-on-one care during this past year. They treated him as if he was a member of their own family. Thanks also is extended to the hospice caregivers who came to Silver Rose Senior Living from ThedaCare Hospice.

Visitation for Paul will be held from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Grace Lutheran Church, 430 W. Griswold St., Ripon, WI 54971.

Funeral service for Paul will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Grace Lutheran Church in Ripon, with Rev. Clay R. Salmela officiating. You may view a livestream of Paul’s funeral service at 12:00 pm by visiting www.ButzinMarchant.com. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Ripon. A memorial is being established in his name.