Leroy J. Witthaus

LeRoy J. Witthaus, 82, of Hannibal, Mo. passed away at 3:21 p.m. Thursday, February 26, 2015, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church in Hannibal. Rev. Dan Jones will officiate. Burial with full military honors provided by the Emmette J. Shields Post No. 55 and Naval Reserve Center of St. Louis, Mo. will be in the Grand View Burial Park. Visitation will be held 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2015, at the Smith Funeral Home and Chapel, in Hannibal. LeRoy was born April 11, 1932, in Hannibal, Mo. the son of Earl and Mary (McCleery) Witthaus. Mr. Witthaus was first married to Patsy Louise Lewis. He later married Vickie June Featherlin on December 5, 1976, in Lewistown, Mo. She survives him. Other survivors include three daughters, Vicky Witthaus Anderson (Butch) of Hannibal, Mo., Cindy Witthaus DeJaynes (Terry) of Lee's Summit, Mo., and Laura Witthaus Kelly (Mick) of Evergreen Park, IL; nine grandchildren, Jason Janes (Courtney), Jill Walter (David), Ryan Day (Lindsey), Erin Cosentino (Jimmy), Michael Day (Melissa), Claire Kelly, Samantha Kelly, Jack Kelly and Meghan Kelly; eight great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. LeRoy treasured his daughters and their families. In addition to his parents, Mr. Witthaus was preceded in death by one brother, Raymond Witthaus; two sisters, Gen Witthaus Adrian and Libby Witthaus Crane; and one granddaughter, Jennifer Janes. LeRoy graduated from Hannibal High School in the class of 1950. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 and served in the Naval Reserves for 20 years. Mr. Witthaus was known for his whole hearted work ethic and started his career working at Crown Drug Store and Pennewell Oil Company. In 1974, he bought the Mark Twain Dinette from Marion E. Pennewell. Mr. Witthaus owned and operated the Mark Twain Dinette until he retired in 1982, and sold the business in 1985, to John Bogue. LeRoy employed many young people at their first job and passed on his work ethic to them. In 1979, he was awarded Missouri Restaurateur of the Year award. LeRoy along with Dr. E.W. Harder and Marion E. Pennewell purchased a building at 4th & Center Streets, known as the HP&W Building and together renovated and managed the property. Always civic minded LeRoy owned five other properties in the 3rd and Hill Street area. Mr. Witthaus enjoyed spending his winters in Florida where he owned a home in Port Charlotte, Fl. LeRoy enjoyed fishing, boating, repairing everything and anything, and keeping his cars and yard in meticulous condition. Mr. Witthaus was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hannibal and attended the Florida-Gulf Cove United Methodist Church. LeRoy was a 50 year member of the N.E.M.O Shrine Club and Moolah Temple of St. Louis, St. John's Masonic Lodge #28 A.F. & A.M., Scottish Rites, and lifetime member of B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge # 1198. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Jason Janes, Ryan Day, Michael Day, Jack Kelly, Jimmy Cosentino and David Walter. Honorary Pallbearers will be Tom Stewart, Bud Schulten, Becker Spaun, Joe Valbracht, Norman Sanders, John Bogue, Phil Smith and H.H.S. class of 1950. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Hospice Promise Foundation or First United Methodist Church in Hannibal, in care of Smith Funeral Home and Chapel.