Gene B. Wittenberger

Wittenberger, Gene B. Born on August 6, 1927 in Hartford, passed away on October 21, 2015 at the age of 88. Gene was the son of Calvin and Clara (nee Zimmerman) Wittenberger. Gene was a Hartford resident all his life. He graduated from Hartford High School in 1945, and went into the Army Air Force for 20 months. After service, he went to the University of Wisconsin. In 1949, he married his beloved wife Marjory (nee Matson) and they had four children, Cheryl (John) Greene, Wendy (Richard) Becker, Calvin (Linda) and Fred ( Betsy). He was the grandfather of Shannon, Erin, Jay, Joel, Calvin, Kim, Luke and Adam. He was the great grandfather of Abbey, Alena, Katelyn, Carter, Brooklyn, Lauren, Alyssa, Rachel and Payton. Gene is survived by his only sister Lila Hayes. Gene was preceded in death by his great grandson Trystan, and brother-in-law Ralph Hayes. After serving in the Air Force in WWII, Gene joined his father in the automobile business in 1948. His father was the Chevrolet dealer since 1928. While in the automobile business, he became active in civic organizations. He was a charter member of the Hartford Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was one of the original members of the Emergency Squad. He was an original member of the Hartford Foundation. He was a member of the American Legion from 1949. He was a 33rd degree Mason and belonged to the Hartford Lodge from 1954. He was a member of the Wisconsin Consistory, and a member of the Tripoli Temple. Gene was a proud member of the Hartford Rotary Club since 1956, and he had the honor of most years of service. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also active in several automobile organizations. In 1942 his father started the School Bus Service for Hartford and the surrounding area. Gene became manager of the school bus business and active in the Wisconsin School Bus Association for which he served on the board of directors for over 20 years, and served as President for 2 years. He was recognized in 1989 with a golden merit award, a highly honorable award for excellence of service, safety programs, and outstanding demonstration of community responsibility. Gene loved the automobile business and selling cars and trucks. He had a wonderful reputation of being fair and honest, and people had fun dealing him as much as he enjoyed selling. Gene was a devoted husband and father. He loved his wonderful Margie, his wife for over 66 years and he was equally proud of his children. He and Marge enjoyed traveling, and loved their winters in their Arizona and Florida homes. They loved to dance and especially jitterbug, but had to slow down when they reached their 80’s. Gene was also a sports enthusiast, mainly as a spectator of football and baseball, but a participant of golf since he played on the high school golf team when he was 16. He still played well in his 80’s. Visitation Sunday October 25, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Berndt-Ledesma Funeral Home 226 S. Main Street, Hartford. Funeral Service to follow at 4:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home, Pastor Mike Bausch officiating. Interment Monday October 26, at 10:00 a.m. Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations could be made to The Boys and Girls Clubs of Washington County or the Hartford Rotary Club. BERNDT-LEDESMA FUNERAL HOME 226 S. Main Street Hartford 262-673-4700 www.berndt-ledesma.com

Gene B. Wittenberger

August 6, 1927 - October 21, 2015