A celebration of life for Jack Lee Witt will be held at the Gun River Inn Saturday June 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 11798 9 Mile Road Shelbyville,
Jack Lee Witt took his stock car, #33, to the oval dirt track in Heaven, passing away at his home May 9. Jack was born Sept. 29, 1929, to Mabel Friemark and Dee Witt. He married Wanda Lee Cooper and together they had three children.
He worked as an auto mechanic and became the owner of Martin Garage. Jack enjoyed racing the stock car he built and raced many of the local speedway tracks. He also enjoyed mushroom hunting (morels, “of course”), bargain hunting, salmon fishing on Lake Michigan, tinkering in his garage, and cold beer. Jack and Wanda adopted three siblings from the Republic of El Salvador and made a home for them here.
After his divorce, he spent many years with Claudia Earl and remained close friends. Later in life he rekindled a high school romance with Dorla “Jean” Larson Woodward. They shared many years and adventures together. He cared deeply for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He had a very close and loving friendship with Dick and Glenda Guerrant.
Jack is survived by his children: Leigh Ann Ciesielski of Plainwell; Carol (Bradford) Pyne of Plainwell; Damon (Lynn) Witt of Turlock, CA; Alex (Liz) Witt of Hastings; Maricela (Cliff) Jenkins of Dallas, GA; and Kitty Lindy. His surviving grandchildren include Dylan Witt of Oak Park, NY; Aimee (Brad) Herrington of Otsego; Alycia (Mark) Lee of Kalamazoo; Kendra (Justin) Gregg of Kalamazoo, Owen Witt of Kalamazoo; Addie Witt of Hastings; Xena Enos of Kalamazoo; Trinity Enos of Dallas, GA; as well as many great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his mother and father, his brother Wendall Witt and son, Jack Witt, Jr., all of Otsego.
Cremation has taken place and at his request.
