Esther Irene Witt

      Esther Irene Witt, 89, of rural Libertyville died Friday, Dec. 23, 2005, at Edina, Mo.

      The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Pedrick Funeral Home in Douds, with the Rev. Gordon Oliver officiating.

      Burial will be in Mount Moriah Cemetery, north of Douds.

      Visitation opened at 2 p.m. today at the funeral home, where the family will be present from 7-8 p.m. today and from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday prior to the funeral.

      Memorials to the charity of the donor's choice may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at 2737 Douds Road, Libertyville 52567.

      Mrs. Witt was born Aug. 26, 1916, near Libertyville, the daughter of Rayburn and Irene Oliver Pearson. She married Paul L. Witt March 11, 1939, in Angola, Ind. He died June 1, 1992.

      Mrs. Witt grew up in the Libertyville community and graduated from Libertyville High School. She farmed with her husband from 1940-1955 in Jefferson County and from 1955-1967 near St. John's, Mich. She had lived in her present farm home south of Libertyville since 1967.

      Survivors include two sons, Charles Witt of Lansing, Mich., and Cullen Witt and wife Annette of Topeka, Kan.; two daughters, Gloria Witt of Libertyville and Freda Witt of Edina, Mo.; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

      In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one grandson; three brothers, Silas Oliver Pearson and two infants; and one sister, Anna Isabelle Mottet.