Gerald Merl Wittwer
September 21, 1932 — October 4, 2010
Gerald Wittwer
Gerald Merl Wittwer, age 78, passed away Monday, October 4, 2010 in St. George, Utah. He was born September 21, 1932 in Bunkerville, Nevada to Merl Harmon and Elizabeth Leavitt Wittwer. He attended school in Bunkerville and Mesquite, and later attended the University of Reno. He paid his way through school by hauling ice for the railroad, driving cabs, and selling insurance. He earned his teaching certificate and a degree in Agriculture.
He married his high school sweetheart, Nedra Leavitt, on September 8, 1951 in the St. George Temple. After the birth of his first son, he served as one of the last married LDS Missionaries in the Canadian East Mission. He obtained a Masters Degree at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. He taught school for 33 years and enjoyed keeping bees with his sons on the side.
Gerald loved maps and travel, and visited places throughout Europe, South America, and the Middle East. He also enjoyed gardening, history (especially WWII history), world news, Nedra's cooking, and family gatherings. His greatest love was taking care of his wife of 59 years, who he "kept in stitches their entire marriage".
Survivors include his wife, Nedra of Mesquite, NV; three sons and one daughter: Bryan (Barb) of Grantsville, UT; Terri (Dave) Schmidt of Bluffdale, UT; Rohn (Sherry) of Visalia, CA; Eric (Jacqueline) of Shelley, ID; 28 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren; one brother and two sisters Colleen (Larry) Reber of Bunkerville, NV; Harold (Anita) Wittwer of Mesquite, NV and Faye (Albert) Thompson of Orem, UT. He was preceded in death by his parents.
His family will miss his fun sense of humor, wonderful stories, and the example of diligence, discipline, and devotion he set for all who knew him.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Mesquite LDS Stake Center. Visitation will be Friday evening from 6 - 8 p.m. and again from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. prior to the services both at the Stake Center. Interment will be in the Bunkerville Cemetery under the direction of Virgin Valley Mortuary, 702 346-6060. Friends and family are invited to sign our online guest book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com