Raymond Dwain Dewitt
Raymond Dwain Dewitt
Raymond Dwain Dewitt
September 29, 1926 – August 22, 2014
New Sharon, Iowa | Age 87
Raymond Dewitt, 87, of New Sharon passed away peacefully at his home on August 22, 2014 surrounded by his family in New Sharon. Raymond Dwain Dewitt was born on September 29, 1926 to Homer and Lela Benson Dewitt in Mahaska County.
The family lived on a farm near Lacey where Raymond helped with chores, crops and livestock. He attended Lacey schools where he graduated in 1944 and was employed as a bus driver during his junior/senior year.
Raymond continued driving a bus for 44 years after Lacey consolidated with New Sharon, into what is now known as the North Mahaska School district. Raymond played basketball and baseball during his high school career and later added golf and bowling to his sports resume. He was also a baseball umpire and basketball referee for 30 years.
In 1953, he married Pearldene Smith. To this union, three children were born: Terry, Sharon (Tom) Hehli, and Polly (Steve) Ehret, all of New Sharon.
Raymond spent many happy hours watching his children and then his grandchildren participate in sports. He enjoyed farming, but his passion was athletics – North Mahaska Warhawks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, Boston Celtics and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He also enjoyed watching the horse races, playing cards, attending auctions, and coffee time at Pronto. Raymond and Pearldene won numerous husband-wife golf tournaments over the years, and were honored to be the grand marshals for homecoming.
Raymond is survived by his wife Pearldene, and his three children: Terry, Sharon & Polly; five grandchildren: Nick Ehret, Alicia (& Chris) Arkema, Eric Hehli, Connor Hehli and Carly Ehret, all of New Sharon; a sister: Vera LaRue; a brother: Donald (& Lucille) Dewitt; and 15 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Alvin and Charles “Gene” Dewitt; and a sister, Evelyn Walraven.
Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Monday, August 25, 2014 at the Lacey United Methodist Church.
Burial will be held in Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Sunday, August 24, 2014 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in New Sharon.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Mahaska Athletic Boosters, Mahaska Hospice or Lacey United Methodist Church.
