James R. Wittenauer

VIENNA TWP James R. Wittenauer, passed away at 6:10 a.m. Sunday, January 13, 2013, at home. He was 74. He was born Aug. 27, 1938 in Youngstown, a son of Carl V. and Dorothy Brown Wittenauer. A graduate of Hubbard High School, Jim was a veteran of the Navy, where he served from 1955 to 1958 as a jet mechanic aboard the U.S.S. Coral Sea. After his stint in the Navy, he returned home to work at the former Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. He then worked for General Motors and, later, Electronic Data Systems, Lordstown, retiring in 1993. Jim was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church (formerly St. Vincent DePaul Church), Vienna, where he served as an usher and participated in many church activities. He also was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3521, Vienna. Jim especially enjoyed the First Monday Breakfasts with his fellow Lordstown and Sheet and Tube retirees at Yankee Kitchen, Vienna. An avid reader of military history, he also enjoyed taking care of his yard and garden, where peppers, tomatoes and zucchini grew bountifully. Grandpa's greatest pleasure was visiting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Ann Swogger Wittenauer, whom he married Sept. 8, 1979. Also surviving are his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Daughter Theresa Harnichar, her husband, Michael, and their children, Ian and Kelsey Webb, all of Newton Falls, Ohio; daughter Andrea Swogger, her husband, Jeff, Vienna, and their family, Randy (Joanna) Swogger and their children, Christian, Gavin, and Jacquelyne of West Farmington, Ohio; Josh (Angie) Swogger and their children, Abbie, Maddy and Baby Elle, Girard, Ohio; and Dana Swogger, Vienna; daughter Karen Silber and her husband, Martin, Germantown, Maryland; and son James R. Wittenauer II, his wife, Erika, and their children, Amanda and Faith, Salem, Ohio. Also surviving are three brothers, Edward Wittenauer, Youngstown; Charles Wittenauer, Hubbard; and Jerry (Barb) Wittenauer, New Middletown, Ohio; three sisters, Rose (Gene) Yuhas, Struthers, Ohio; Martha (Robert) Tygart, Arkansas; and Joan (Frank) Clark, Louisiana; and his wife's brothers and sisters, whom he also considered his family: Art Swogger, Orangeville; George Swogger, Betty Felicetty, Oscar Jr. and Judie Swogger, Richard and Bessie Horvath, Nancy Benak, Carl and Ada Swogger, Georgianna and John Shingledecker, and Rick and Bonnie Swogger, all Masury; Buster and Mary Swogger, Akron, Ohio; Rev. Gary and Beverly Swogger, Medina, Ohio; Karen and John Boyer and Gail and Jim Longwell, all Burghill; Carol Mathey, Henderson, NV; and Dolly and Steve Devito, Brookfield; and a host of nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Margaret Goterba. Calling hours for friends and family will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 from 4:00-8:00PM at the Madasz Chapel of Lane Family Funeral Homes 6923 Warren-Sharon Road Brookfield, OH 44403 (330) 448-6969. Calling hours will also be held on Wednesday from 9:00-10:15 AM at the funeral home. Closing prayers will begin at 10:15AM on Wednesday at the funeral home to be followed by the Celebration of a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11:00AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Vienna with the Rev. Frank Zanni as Celebrant. Burial will follow at the Vienna Township Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Vienna Food Pantry, in care of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 4453 Warren Sharon Road, Vienna, OH 44473.