Alvin T. "Ollie" Witte, 81 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away on Friday, May 3, 2013 at his residence. He was born on Wednesday, March 2, 1932 in Adams County, Indiana the son of the late Wilhelm E. Witte and the late Anna (Weber) Witte. He married Shirley M. Schaper on May 29, 1960 in Zion Lutheran Church, Bull Rapids in Woodburn, Indiana. Alvin served his country in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Friedheim where he held many different offices in the church. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #43 in Decatur. Alvin retired from K-mart Distribution Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana after thirty-three years of service. He was also a lifelong dairy and grain farmer in the Preble Township area. Surviving are his wife, Shirley M. Witte of Decatur; daughter, Wava (Christopher) Lichtle of Decatur; son, Mark (Dian) Witte of Decatur; brother, Gerhard L. Witte of Decatur; sister, Marie Bradtmueller of Hoagland; sister, Dorothy (Raymond) Schaper of Woodburn; sister, Laura (Norbert) Merkle of Ohio City, Ohio; sister, Lorena (Marvin) Hockemeyer of Harlan; and sister, Lavera (Duane) Linker of New Haven. Alvin is also survived by seven grandchildren, Marc & Angie Lichtle; Zachary Lichtle; Alex & Ashley Lichtle; Emma Lichtle; Ethan Lichtle and Jared & Heath Witte; and three great-grandchildren Lucy & Mae Lichtle and Hannah Lichtle. Preceding Alvin in death were two brothers, Clarence Witte and Wilhelm R. "Sammy" Witte; sister-in-law, June Witte; and brother-in-law, Wilbert Bradtmueller. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 9, 2013 in the Zion Lutheran Church, Friedheim with Rev. Daniel Dahling officiating. Interment will follow in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Friedheim with Military Graveside Services to be conducted by American Legion Post #43 of Decatur. Friends will be received from 2 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 8 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Preferred memorials are to Zion Lutheran Church, Friedheim Building Fund or Family LifeCare of Berne.
