Kenneth Charles DeWitt

Kenneth Charles DeWitt

Kenneth Charles DeWitt, age 79, passed away at home on Aug. 16, 2008, after a long illness. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 15, 1929, Mr. DeWitt was the son of the late Frances and Roland DeWitt.

Mr. DeWitt was preceded in death by his brother, Robert DeWitt and by his infant son, Eric. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Lou DeWitt; son, Carl DeWitt and wife, Barbara, of Lynchburg; daughter Sarah and husband, Alan Cavacas, of Vienna; daughter Erica and husband, Norman Silverman, of Charleston, S.C. and grandsons, Skyler Silverman and Holden Silverman of Charleston, S.C.

Mr. DeWitt served in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953. Following graduation from Kendall School of Design, he worked as Furniture Designer with Conant Ball Company in Gardner, MA from 1960 to 1981. In 1981, he moved to Lynchburg, where he worked as Senior Furniture Designer with The Lane Company from 1981 until his retirement in 1996. Following his retirement from The Lane Co., he designed for several furniture companies, including Nichols and Stone Co.

Mr. DeWitt was a member of Boonsboro Country Club and St. John's Episcopal Church.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008, at St. John Episcopal Church, Lynchburg, with The Rev. Diane Vie presiding. Following the service, there will be a reception in McGill Hall at the church, where the family will receive friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, 200 Boston Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503 or The Salvation Army, PO Box 2314, Lynchburg, VA 24505.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, 434-237-9424. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharpfuneralhome.com