Obituary
Joy Diane Wittenauer of Ft. Myers, FL, formerly of Terre Haute, IN, was called home to God on Sunday, September 13, 2020.
She was born on June 5, 1939 in Clinton, IN, to James and Dorothy (Grubbs) Porter. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Phil Porter. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, James L. Wittenauer, daughter, Pam Bratton (Barry), son, Timothy Wittenauer (Mary Beth), son, Kent Wittenauer (Brenda), granddaughters, Bailey Wittenauer, Chloe Rudeen (Matthew), and Kimberly Bratton, and grandson, Kyle Wittenauer.
Diane graduated from Indiana State University with a B.S., M.S., and Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology. She was a Nationally Certified School Psychologist with a Life License for School Services (Psychologist) in the State of Indiana. She was the 1997 Recipient of the Indiana Association of School Psychologists Exemplary School Psychology Award.
Diane was a Charter Life Member of the Indiana State University Alumni Association. She was a member and advisor of the Chi Omega Sorority at Indiana State University and a member of Ft Myers/Lee County Alumnae Chapter of Chi Omega.
She was also a retired teacher (29 years) of the Vigo County School Corporation in Terre Haute, where early in her career she was an elementary teacher prior to becoming a School Psychologist for the Covered Bridge Special Education District.
In Terre Haute, Diane was an active member of Sacred Heart Parish Catholic Church and later, St. Mary’s of the Woods Village Catholic Church. In Ft Myers, Diane was a member of St. John XXIII Catholic Church, where she was a Eucharistic Minister and a volunteer at the Thrift Store. She was a Volunteer Tourism Ambassador and Customs Concierge at Southwest Florida International Airport in Ft. Myers, FL.
Diane was very creative and resourceful with sewing, interior decorating, oil painting, furniture restoration and scrap-booking. She enjoyed caring for her flowers, gardening, raising pineapple, water aerobics and walking.
Diane and Jim 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.
Diane was very social, friendly and greeted everyone with her signature ‘loving’ smile. She loved to drive her “Lil Blue” VW convertible and take Jim on rides to explore new roads in Lee County, FL.
Most important to Diane was her family. Diane was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She and Jim 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 Porter School Psychology Center or Student Recreation Center at Indiana State University. Contributions in her 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 Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 10:00am at St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers, FL. Interment will follow in the St. John XXIII Memorial Garden.
Service
13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33912
You reached many peoples hearts ♥️ especially with me! Volunteering with you on the same shift as myself, was always a blessing! I always enjoyed your comforting soul and laughter. I will miss you, forever, Cerstin Magaw