Eugene “Gene” Wittman
Gene Wittman
Eugene (Gene) Francis Wittman, 72, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2018, at his home in Saint Louis, surrounded by his family.
Gene was born in Quinter, Kansas, to Victor and Caroline Wittman on August 22, 1945. He grew up in Topeka, Kansas, graduating from Hayden Catholic High School and Washburn University. He married Patricia Mailliard on July 19, 1969, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Prairie Village, Kansas.
Gene was a salesman in the paper industry in Kansas City – for Birmingham & Prosser and then for Nationwide Paper – for 34 years. Gene was an avid gardener, could fix or build anything, and collected and worked on BMWs in his spare time. After he retired from the paper industry, he rehabbed two homes in the St. Louis area.
For the past six years, Gene was an active member of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association, participating in its exercise programs and research studies and singing with the Tremble Clefs.
Gene is preceded in death by his father, Victor Wittman, and by his sister, Victoria Wittman.
Gene is survived by his wife, Patricia Wittman; his two daughters, Aimee Wittman (Scott Jarboe) and Lucia (Wittman) McLaren (Jay McLaren); his six grandchildren: Luke Jarboe, Liam McLaren, Elizabeth Jarboe, Cole McLaren, Keenan McLaren and Katherine Jarboe; his mother, Caroline Wittman; and his sister, Theresa Wittman.
Gene’s Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 1, 2018, at the St. Francis Xavier College Church at St. Louis University at 3628 Lindell Blvd. in St. Louis, MO. Immediately following the Visitation, Gene’s funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Daniel White, pastor of the St. Francis Xavier College Church, celebrating. A luncheon will be held immediately following the Mass in the College Church Ballroom.
In lieu of flowers, Gene’s family encourages well-wishers to consider memorials to the St. Louis Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association of St. Louis, 1415 Elbridge Payne, #150, Chesterfield, MO 63107 or online at www.apdaparkinson.org/community/st-louis/ways-to-give-stl/donate/.
If you have a favorite story of, or memory from, Gene, please share it below. The family will be compiling these into a keepsake memory book.
Please accept our condolences. Know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Tim, Denise and Revis Cooney
I had the opportunity to work with Gene at Nationwide Paper. He was a true professional and always tried to find a better solution for his customers. He was a proud family man and I know he will be missed. My hope is that the void in each of your life’s will be filled by the many positive memories you have of Gene.
Bruce McSpadden
Your father was so devoted to his family.
Your mother and I enjoyed our dinners out on the Plaza. The four of us even walked through the new codomeniums on
The River Quay. We weren’t look8ng to buy, just curious. I will never forget your Swedish Christmas Headress. Your dad was so proud of his family. You are left with love and many fond memories.
Dear Wittman family,
Please accept our thoughts and prayers at this time. We have such good memories of Gene, he was such a professional in his work and all of his co-workers looked up to him, but he had his fun side also that we all enjoyed. He and Patricia introduced Muriel and I to some wonderful restaurants in our ventures together. I also remember his cooking breakfast on our salesmen MARS trips to the Lake of the Ozarks, he made them into a feast for the rest of us. Some of us still talk about them.
Through all of these thoughts I remember most how devoted Gene was to his family, he will be dearly missed.
Arlen & Muriel Walters
Gene was my dear friend and buddy. I had the previlege of working with him on some of his remodeling jobs. We would have lunch often and talk about life and family. I will miss Gene and there is a special place in my heart for him. My prayers go out to all who knew and loved him.
We were stunned this week to learn of Gene’s passing. Please know we treasured our friendship with Gene and your entire family. Tom remembers traveling to St. Louis just before he retired, meeting Gene for a meal. They shared lots of great paper stories at Nationwide.
So many memories flood our minds–you were such amazing hosts; we always enjoyed your Christmas parties, playing Trivial Pursuit, having dinners, and going to Leadership trips together. Remember when Gene and Tom went snorkeling?When you were building your home in KC, I remember Pat saying, “$1500, please” was what the contractors always told her–over and over again! But it was such a fabulous house! I was particularly impressed with the pan under the washer in the upstairs laundry. Gene thought of everything! I’m sure the homes Gene flipped were also fabulous. Tom asked Gene to walk around our house when we were considering it, checking it out, giving it a thumbs up–we’re still here 24+ years later.
How proud Gene was of you, Pat, and the girls. How terrific that you now have 6 grandchildren!
So, sadly, we say good by. Tom always considered Gene a close friend.
Thinking of you,
Julie