Obituary
Dr. James Leo Wittenauer of Ft. Myers, formerly of Terre Haute, IN was called home to God Monday, August 23rd, 2021.
He was born on May 4th, 1937 in Ambia, IN to Martin and Bertha (Scherer) Wittenauer. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife of 60 years, Joy Diane (Porter) Wittenauer. He is survived by his sister, Norma Jean Eberhard of Lafayette, IN, daughter Pam Bratton (Barry), son Timothy Wittenauer (Mary Beth), son Kent Wittenauer (Brenda), granddaughters Bailey Wittenauer, Chloe Rudeen (Matthew), Kimberly Bratton, grandson, Kyle Wittenauer, and great grandson, Witten Scott Rudeen.
Jim graduated from Indiana State University with a B.S., M.S., and received his Doctoral Degree in Higher Education Administration from Indiana University in 1973. He retired from Indiana State University in 2000 after 40 years of service as Professor of Physical Education and Director of Recreation Sports. The “Dr. James L. Wittenauer Administrative Suite”, located in the University Student Recreation Center, was dedicated in 2012 acknowledging his impact at Indiana State. He was a life member of Indiana State Alumni, Indiana University Alumni and National Recreational Sports Association.
Jim was a member of the Indiana Delta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and was a past Alumni Board President. He received several honors including Outstanding Chapter Advisor, Outstanding Alumni, Outstanding Service/Dedication and Career Achievement awards.
In Terre Haute, Jim was an active member of Sacred Heart Parish Catholic Church and later, St. Mary’s of the Woods Village Catholic Church. He was a volunteer at Union Hospital. In Ft Myers, Jim was a member of St. John XXIII Catholic Church, where he was a Eucharistic Minister and a volunteer at the Thrift Store. He was a Volunteer for Gulf Coast University Basketball games and a diehard Chicago Cubs fan.
Jim and Diane enjoyed many travel and cruise adventures together with family and dear friends. These trips included travel to Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Alaska, Panama Canal, the Rhine River, the Holy Land and two separate memorable trips to the Vatican.
Most important to Jim was his family. Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He and Diane spent many hours traveling to witness their children’s and grand-children’s concerts, school functions, religious ceremonies, athletic and professional achievements.
The family suggests memorial contributions of choice or to the Student Recreation Center at Indiana State University. Contributions in his memory can be mailed to Indiana State University Foundation, 30 North 5th Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47807, or made online at https://givetoindianastate.org.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 11:00am at St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers, FL. Interment will follow in the St. John XXIII Memorial Garden.
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