Norman A. Witte, age 92, of Three Rivers, died on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2009, at Heartland Health Care following a lengthy illness.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold Street Three Rivers.

Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, at the St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, with Pastor Alan Stadelman officiating.

Interment will be held in Riverside Cemetery, Three Rivers.

He was born in Big Beaver, the son of Otto O. and Emma E. (Cinader) Witte.
Norman graduated from Big Beaver High School and served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Upon returning he married Annabelle E. Maurice on May 5, 1945 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in South Bend, Ind. They eventually moved to the Three Rivers area and raised their daughter.

Norman and Annabelle were members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Norman was employed for many years as a custodian and also worked for the dimestore S.S. Kresge in South Bend, Ind.

Norman was an animal lover. He cared for many pets during his life and loved to work in the out of doors, gardening and farming, and truly loved his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Annabelle in 2003; one sister, Ernestine “Polly” Witte; and one nephew, Victor Schade Jr.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his only daughter, Norma Jean (Charles) Hall, of Niles; one sister, Helen Schade, of Groveland, Fla.; two nieces, Susan Fergerson, of Mayville, and Evelyn Schubridge, of Florida; grandchildren, Thomas L. (Heather) Hall, of Niles, and Timothy A. (Tammy) Hall, of St. Joseph; great-grandchildren, Josiah Hall and Sofia Hall, and one soon to be arriving.

Memorials may be donated to the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Roof Fund or the Animal Rescue fund of St. Joseph County.

Arrangements were by the Hohner Funeral Home, Three Rivers.