This is a Message Board Post. Reply to the message or author by clicking on the link below. *************************************************************************** MESSAGE: (#268539) Ralph J. Wittich <http://iagenweb.org/boards/louisa/obituaries/index.cgi?rev=268539> AUTHOR: Mari Nielsen - DATE: 3/2/2010 at 21:30:29 Surnames: WITTICH,HOCKE,RIBBINK,FREERS RALPH J. WITTICH Ralph J. Wittich, 91, Box 50-19, Paradise Mobile Village, Lake Placid, Fla., died at Lake Placid this morning. A memorial service will be held later. Mr. Wittich was born Feb. 21, 1897 at Muscatine, a son of Werner and Minnie Hocke Wittich. He was a life resident here. His marriage to Violet Ribbink took place Aug. 3, 1920 in Muscatine. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Iowa Lodge No. 2 AF&AM, a 72-year member of the Elks Lodge No. 304, a World War I veteran and an honorary member of the Iowa State Funeral Directors Association. In 1932, Ralph and his father, Werner, started the Ralph J. Wittich Funeral Home. He operated the business with his partner, Edward Freers, until his retirement in 1964, at which time he sold his interest to Freers. The Wittichs lived in Muscatine until moving to Florida in 1974. He is survived by his wife, Violet, of Lake Placid. Two brothers precede him in death. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church. Source: newspaper clipping with handwritten death date of April 28, 1988