Alta Jean Witts

Age 92, of Magnolia, passed away Wed., Dec. 20, 2017.  She was born June 6, 1925, in Howenstine, OH, a daughter of the late William and Flora (Bailey) Gantz, and her adoptive parents, Russell and Fleda (Pritchard) Herstine, who raised and loved her from the age of eight weeks.  Jean was a 1943 graduate of Magnolia High School.  She was a retired employee of the former Sparta Ceramic Tile Co., after over 35 years of service.  She was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she and many ladies of the church wrote a book that detailed their lives, and her chapter was called "A Grain of Sand".  Jean and her late husband helped at the Magnolia Drag Strip for many years.  She also enjoyed bowling, doing needle point and playing cards, but especially liked going to their farm southeast of Magnolia.  Besides her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Alvin F. Witts, on Dec. 15, 2007, and an infant son, Rodney.  She is survived by a daughter, Becky (John) Dodt, a son, Tom Witts and Tammy Fiddler, one grandson and three great-grandchildren, Justin Sellers, and his children, Trinity, Shelby, and Nova.  Services will be held Sat. at 11 a.m. in the Finefrock-Gordon Funeral Home in Magnolia with Pastor J. Andrew Riggs and Pastor Peggy Garner officiating.  Interment will be in Melscheimer Cemetery.  Friends may call Friday 6-8 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jean's memory may be made to either Carroll Golden Age Retreat, PO Box 365, Carrollton, OH 44615, or Magnolia Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 434, Magnolia, OH 44643.  Condolences may be sent to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com

Gordon (330) 866-9425