Dorothy ‘Dot’ Wittnam, 90

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Dorothy “Dot” June (Knodle) Wittnam, 90, died on Sunday, March 15, 2020, in Billings, MT, from complications of a stroke.

Services will be held in Fillmore at a later date.

Mrs. Wittnam was born on June 17, 1929, in Fillmore, to Glen and Lillie (Hoffman) Knodle. She met Charles “Chuck” Wittnam in 1952 after his return from the Korean War. He proposed on their third date and they were married on June 23, 1952. Their marriage lasted 65 years until he preceded her in death in 2017.

Mrs. Wittnam’s father died when she was 14. She lived on her family’s farm in Montgomery County, with her mother, until her marriage. Mrs. Wittnam graduated from Fillmore High School and went on to receive an associate teaching degree. She taught in a one room schoolhouse near her home, where her students included some of her nieces and nephews.

The Wittnam’s moved frequently because of Mr. Wittnam’s profession. They lived in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, California and Connecticut during which time they raised their two sons. Mr. and Mrs. Wittnam retired to Grants Pass, OR, where they were residents for many years until they relocated to Billings, MT, to be near family for health reasons.

Mrs. Wittnam was an outgoing woman who loved cooking and being outdoors. She was active in the Presbyterian church and pursued her love of education through her involvement in her church’s preschool. She was very close to her mother, brothers and sisters, and loved her numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom remain in southern Illinois.

Mrs. Wittnam placed a high value on the education of her children. She was extremely proud of the accomplishments of both of her sons who went on to have careers in architecture and medicine.

Mrs. Wittnam is survived by her children, Kevin Wittnam (Don Boshears) of Dallas, TX, and Dr. Charles (Patricia Payne) Wittnam of Billings, MT; grandchildren, Nathan Wittnam of Durham, NC, and Jessica (Ivan Radovic) Wittnam of Sunnyvale, CA; and sisters, Mary Blaylock and Bette Anderson, both of Decatur.

 She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Kenneth and Wayne Knodle; and sisters, Lucille Wolford and Marie Frazier.

The family suggests memorials be made to local food banks to help others during the pandemic.