Joseph William Witthar

Joseph William Witthar, 91, passed away on November 8th, 2022, surrounded by family in Independence, MO. He was born on January 19th, 1931 to Joseph and Stella (Kuchinski) Witthar and was the oldest of 4 children. Joseph graduated from Glennon High School in 1949.

Joseph was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served during the Korean Conflict from 1953 to 1955. In September 1955 he married Mary Carol Gee they had two children Ed and Sherri, they also had a foster daughter, Cynthia. After returning from the Marine Corps, Joseph went to work part time at Montgomery Ward Automotive department while attending the electrician apprenticeship program at Sheffield Steel, later known as Armco Steel, Kansas City, MO., where he retired after 35 years. Joseph then went to work for the Springfield MO school board in the maintenance shop for 10 years.

Joseph attended Nativity of Mary Catholic Church in Independence, MO., where he was an usher until he moved to Branson. He enjoyed football, baseball, bowling, golf, fishing, and hunting. Joseph was the past president of the Greater Kansas City Bowling Association. NCAA baseball and softball umpire, later honored with a nomination as an alternate MLB umpire during the umpire strike. Joseph was a reserve member of the Independence Police Department and a member of the Mounted Jackson County Sheriff Posse. He was a 27-year Life member of the American Legion and a member of the Marine Corps League.

Joseph is preceded in death by his father, Joseph; mother, Stella; brother, Bob; sister, Barbara; wife, Carol and great grandson, Zackery. He is survived by his sister, Thelma; son, Ed (Cheryl); daughter, Sherri (Bobby); foster daughter, Cynthia; 7 grandchildren, Michelle (Rick) Billinger, Michael (Megan) Witthar, Keith Abernathy, Jaclyn Ware, Marci Moreno, Kelly Knowles and Angela Phimmachak; 12 great grandchildren, Taylor, Emma, Suri, Brittany, Andrew, Viva, Baylee, Hope, Eva, William, Avery and Benjamin (due in December); and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations in Joseph's name to the local American Legion and Marine Corps League.