John Henry Wittenbrink, 78, of Chester, IL

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[John Henry Wittenbrink, 78, of Chester, IL, died August 19, 2008 at Memorial Hospital, Carbondale, IL.

The son of Henry and Florence (Hampton) Wittenbrink, he was born January 7, 1930 in St. Louis, MO.

On June 5, 1955, he married Verna Jane Ruwwe in Japan, MO.

John was an Army Veteran and a Registered Laboratory and X-ray technician at Menard Correctional Center in Chester. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Chester, where he served as a Deacon and sang in the choir. He was a member of V.F.W. Post #3553, Chester; the American Legion Post #487, Chester; Chester Country Club; and The Gideon's International. He also served as an election judge.

Survivors include his wife of Chester, IL; two children-Edward (Mary) Wittenbrink of Sparta, IL and Laura (Tony) Valente of Aurora, IL; three grandchildren-Nicholas Valente, Jack Henry Valente, and Christian John "CJ" Valente; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Daryl Lee Wittenbrink; one brother, Vernon Wittenbrink; and two sisters-Marion Greager and June Santel.

Funeral services were held Saturday, August 23, 2008 at First Baptist Church, Chester, IL with Dr. Mike Fogerson officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Chester.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Chester, IL.

Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, IL was in charge of the arrangements.