Saturday, 9:15 P M. Arrangements are as follows for Joan DeWitt:
Joan DeWitt will lay at rest at the Fosnaught Funeral Home in Marion, Michigan; 406 East Main Street; 49665. Visitation times are scheduled for Sunday evening, August 8 from 7 P M until 9 P M; Monday, August 9, 2 P M until 4 P M and 7 P M until 9 P. M.
The funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 10 at 11 A M at the funeral home with burial to follow at the Greenwood Cemetary just outside of Marion.
Joan DeWitt, wife and partner of deceased Michigan handler Marvin DeWitt, died today in a car-train accident while on her way to work this morning in Marion, Michigan. Joan was about three miles from her home when she collided with a three-car cargo train. According to her son Dan DeWitt, Joan was crossing a railroad intersection when the accident occurred. Joan was heading north and the train was coming directly from the north on a track that ran nearly parallel with the road. She apparently didnt see the train and either hit the train nearly hit on or ran into the front side of it. The tragedy occurred at 10:30 A M this morning. The track had no warning light.
Marvin and Joan and their two sons, Danny and Timmy handled hounds on the brace beagling circuit during the seventies and early eighties before Marvin became disabled by a heart condition. Marvin retired from his job as a truck mechanic at the Buick Motor Division in Flint, Michigan and almost immediately started handling dogs. Joan usually traveled with him during the summer months and then remained home to care for her youngest son Tim during the winter. Dan told me that he and Timmy traveled with their Dad and helped him with the handling from time to time. Dan was especially thankful for the two winters he spent with his father traveling as far south as Mississippi to attend trials. They hauled a dog trailer and slept in a pick-up camper. Danny said his father always filled out entry forms when he arrived at his destination before retiring for the night with the aid of a ten-volt lantern. Only after the forms were all prepared did they fold down the table that made into a bed.
Marvin and Joan bought the farm near Marion that she and son, Dan now share together in 1980. Joan moved there permanently shortly after Marvins death in 1985
Joan was vibrant and loved life to the fullest. She always placed other people first and had become a vital fixture in the Marion community. Just a few years ago she was named Marions citizen of the year.
Joan recently joined the Highland Reformed Church in Marion and was its church secretary. When she resided in Clio, Michigan she attended Calvary Presbyterian Church on the east side of Flint, Michigan where she was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it.
Joan also loved the hound dogs that she and Marvin handled. I can remember one time at Oakland Beagle Club in Michigan when Joan was walking across the parking lot. A dog that she and Marvin had previously handled spied her before she spied him as he and his owner were coming from the opposite direction. The dog started immediately to wag its tail and became excited at the site of his good friend Joan.
Joan DeWitt is survived by sons, Marvin, Jr., David, Dan and Tim and two grand children. There is no doubt that the citizens of Marion are sad this evening as are Joan and Marvins relatives and friends in this area upon learning of the demise of this wonderful Christian lady. Undoubtedly Jesus has now said those words to Joan that all Christians long to hearNow enter in thou good and faithful servant.
Arrangements will Be Announced on this web-site sometime tomorrow evening.