WITTUNG

Jeffery Alan Wittung, 35, of Belding, Mich., and formerly of Van Wert, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday evening, January 10, 2010.

He was born March 9, 1974, in Van Wert, the son of Frederick C. and Sylvia I. Wittung, who both survive in Van Wert.

He graduated from Van Wert High School and completed his undergraduate studies at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, where he met the love of his life, Marne Janelle Dixon. The couple exchanged vows on July 24, 1999, after a five-year courtship.

Jeff continued his academic pursuits at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo., where he earned his Master of Divinity degree. He was attending Drew University in Madison, N.J., where he had recently completed his Master of Philosophy degree in theology and was pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy degree in theology.

Jeff worked as an academic editor for Baker Publishing Group and cherished the written word, studying, reading and writing whenever he could. His other accomplishments included co-editing a book entitled Partakers of the Divine Nature: The History and Development of Deification in the Christian Traditions, which explores the subject of theosis, and serving as an editor for the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. He also served on the Alvah N. Belding Library board in Belding and was an active member of Encounter Community Church in Belding.

In addition to his wife and parents, those left to cherish Jeff’s memory are his children, Anastasia Maria and Kate Elise Wittung, both at home; a sister, Cindy J. (Jeff) Dickman of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; his father- and mother-in-law, William D. and Marcia R. Dixon of Mercer, Pa.; a grandmother-in-law, Helen R. Lehman of Northumberland, Pa.; a sister-in-law, Maria N. (Terry) Hanna of Kennersville, N.C.; a brother-in-law, William D. (Shelly) Dixon Jr. of Pasadena, Md.; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and many dear friends and colleagues.

A life celebration service will be conducted a 11 a.m. Friday, January 15, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 409 S. Bridge St., Belding, with Pastors Chad Current and Jim Bowen officiating. A reception will follow in a gathering space attached to the church. Services will also be held in Van Wert, with a gathering time beginning at noon Saturday, January 16, and a service beginning at 2 p.m. at Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert.

The family will also receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, January 14, at Verdun Funeral Home, 303 S. Bridge St., Belding.

Preferred memorials: Jeff Wittung Benefit Fund, Firstbank West Michigan, 9344 W. Belding Road, Beling MI 48809 or Gideons International.

Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.verdunfh.com.

SCHAADT

Ervin Lee Schaadt, 94, of rural Ohio City died at 10 a.m. Sunday, January 10, 2010, at Vancrest-Convoy Care Center.

He was born November 21, 1915, in Van Wert County, the son of the late Walter and Emma (Kiehl) Schaadt. On August 5, 1935, he married E. Patricia (Voltz) Schaadt, who preceded him in death on August 2, 1994.

Survivors include a daughter, Harriet Schaadt of rural Ohio City; one daughter-in-law, Patricia A. Hoghe of Convoy; a close friend, Refa Mohr of Convoy; one brother, Dale (Ruth) Schaadt of Van Wert; four sisters, Lola M. Woods of Convoy, Virginia (Walter) LeValley of Florida, and Pauline McGarvey and Fern (Harold) Miller, both of Van Wert; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A son, Nathan Lee Schaadt; and two brothers, Romy Schaadt and Norman Schaadt, also preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, January 16, at St. Paul’s Reformed Church in America in Harrison Township, with Pastor Chad Strabbing officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

The family will receive friends from 3-6 p.m. Friday, January 15, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert.

Preferred memorials: Van Wert County Council on Aging and St. Paul’s Reformed Church in America.

Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at cowanfh@yahoo.com.