Mary A. DeWitt  

Culver - Mary A. DeWitt, 80, of Culver , passed away Monday, Oct. 17, 2005 in Miller's Merry Manor, following an illness.

Mary was born Sept. 25, 1925 in Panama City, Fla., to Thomas W. and Deane B. Banks, both deceased. She graduated from Bay Senior High School in Panama City and worked for the U.S. Postal System during World War II. Mary was the oldest of five children, two of whom preceded her in death.

On Jan. 27, 1946, she married James C. DeWitt at the First Baptist Church of Panama City. The couple met when Mary, only 13 at the time, was visiting an uncle in Indiana, and Jim happened to be working on that uncle's farm. It was truly love at first sight. Jim hitchhiked to Florida for a second look and the rest is history...they corresponded over a six-year period while Jim was serving in the US Navy. It was only the third time they saw one another when he returned to Florida after the war to propose. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this coming January.

Mary and Jim owned a grocery store-gas station in Wawaka, Ind. before moving to Culver . They owned and operated Lake Shore Lanes (better known as ‘The Bowling Alley') in Culver from 1953 until 1977. They were well known for their signature hamburgers, tenderloins and lemonade.

Mary loved to cook, bake, crochet, put together jigsaw puzzles and spend time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed returning to Panama City year to visit her siblings and their families.

She is survived by her husband; four children: James C. (Margaret) DeWitt, Jr. of Lafayette, Karen S. and Mark Noll of Culver , Kathy D. and Jim Patrick of Culver , and John W. DeWitt of Carmel; a sister, Olive Deane Ferrell of Panama City; a brother, George B. Banks of Panama City; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005 at the Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 401 S. Main St., Culver , with Pastor Ron Lewallen officiating.

The service will begin at 11:30 a.m., preceded by visitation with the family from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Lunch will follow in the church basement.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial gifts be made to the Marshall County Energy Assistance program. Contributions sho uld be sent to Marshall County Neighborhood Council, Inc., PO Box 353, Plymouth, IN 46563.

All gifts earmarked ‘Gift of Warmth' program will be matched by NIPSCO.

Bonine-Odom Funeral Home, 104 Lake Shore Drive, Culver , Ind., is handling the arrangements

Plymouth Pilot

Children:

James "Jim? DeWitt Jr married Margaret ?

Kathy DeWitt married Jim Patrick

Karen Sue Dewitt