Jerald Wittenberg, affectionately known by everyone as 'Jerry' took his last breath as the sun rose on March 15, 2024. Jerry lived an active and abundant 93 years of life surrounded by a large and loving family and many friends near and far. Jerry never met a stranger and always had a story to tell or words of wisdom to share. He had a larger than life presence and his physical absence will be deeply felt for all those who knew and loved him.

Jerry was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin on December 2, 1930. He was the son of Ethel and George Wittenberg and had five siblings. Jerry was the last living person in his family of origin and frequently talked about how lucky he was to have been blessed with good health and longevity of life, often remarking he was 'ahead of the game.'

Jerry is survived by his spouse of 72 years, Alyce Jobe Wittenberg; his three children and their spouses: Steve and Jennifer Wittenberg, Jeryl and Scott Hollingsworth and Judi and Steve Swanson; his seven grandchildren and their spouses: Alyssa and Brett Quimby, Trevor and Meghan Hollingsworth, Stephanie and Deke Eastin, Jillian Hollingsworth and Wesley Fletcher, Lacy and Brent Merritt, Tyler and Hannah Hollingsworth, and Cole and Mary Swanson; and his

15 great grandchildren: Samuel, Azure, Della, Myla, Davis, Bronson, Alyce, Brianna, Emerson, Opal, Olive, Bea, Parker, Crawford, and Alex.

Jerry was a hard worker his entire life, meticulous and methodical in every action he took from filling his bird feeders to closing the window blinds. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1951-1955 before joining his family's brush making business. After more than twenty years at The La Crosse Brush Company in Wisconsin, Jerry and Alyce made a big change and moved to South Carolina where they bought and operated Lake Hartwell KOA campground for the next 19 years.

Jerry loved the outdoors and spent much of his life seeking time in nature. From his Boy Scout leadership to his many years camping and traveling across the United States, Jerry made memories with Alyce and his family, starting with his children and continuing with his grandchildren and even the great grands.

Jerry was devoted to his faith and was a member of Parkwood Baptist church. Through his lifelong commitment to his church community, Jerry served in many capacities including Sunday school teacher, deacon, mission outreach and was also a dedicated member of the church choir. Jerry had a heart for service to others and led by example with decades of volunteer work with Boy Scouts, disaster relief and a devoted Meals on Wheels delivery route.

In addition to being civic minded and community oriented, Jerry had a green thumb and spent hours in his yard perfecting his many garden beds. He could grow rows of zinnias in every color and sunflowers 8 feet tall. He was an avid bird enthusiast and spent many hours later in life, filling and refilling his many bird feeders around his yard. Jerry enjoyed food of every variety and never let a crumb go to waste. He was resourceful, inventive and had a sharp mind with a remarkable ability to recall dates and details from life's adventures. Jerry was also opinionated and vocal about what he believed was right and wrong which would lead to lively conversations around the Sunday dinner table, where you could always find him enjoying a meal with his family.

Jerry filled many roles in his time on Earth and found immense joy in living long enough to witness his great grandchildren grow and experience the simple pleasures of this world, but perhaps the role he most cherished was being married to Alyce, his wife of 72 years.

Jerry and Alyce and their entire family were grateful to have gathered together last spring of 2023 for a joyful 'Celebration of Life' ceremony to honor and recognize Jerry and Alyce's lengthy marriage and time on Earth. Now in this season of remembrance, Jerry's family will pay tribute to his legacy privately. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation memorials be made to Richard M. Campbell Veterans nursing home in gratitude for the wonderful and compassionate care given to Jerry over the last 13 months. Their kindness will not be forgotten.