Carl J. Witteck

Carl was born on February 26, 1923 in Independence Missouri, the Gateway to the West. He reminded his friends that Independence was where the wagon trains formed to start their way west to California.

He graduated from William Christman High School in May of 1941. Carl's parent's home was just a few blocks from Harry S. Truman's home on Delaware Street. He knew Harry before he became president. Carl would wave and holler at Harry lots of times when Harry was out for his walk, he also went to school with Margurate Truman, Harry's daughter. Carl was a construction nut he would rather build something than eat. He made two beautiful cedar chest while still in high school. His daughter Karen still has one. He helped build houses, commercial buildings, churches, highway bridges, viaducts, etc. He just liked to build.

The big building boom in California in the late 50's and early 60's was too much for him to pass up, so in 1961 he told his wife Mary Genevieve, "we're going to California." They loaded their station wagon with all his tools, his son Larry his daughter Karen and they moved to Rialto, California. He bought a house on N. Park Ave. and of course he had to add onto it so the kids had a place to play pool and ping pong. Rialto Unified School Distric was in a building program so he went to work for them in the maintenance department. He retired in 1985 but they asked him to come back and do the inspection of the building program he did and retired... again in 1995. He really liked the men in the maintenance department, they were all good workers and kept the schools up and in good repair for the Rialto children.

From 1943-45 Carl was in the Army serving in WWII, first going through the Aleutian Islands and fighting the Japanese there, then he was sent to Europe where he was chasing the Germans through France and Belgium. that's where he became injured and also froze his feet. He spent seven months in the hospital. He had a wall full of medals to show for his service. Carl always liked to be around people; he was a Master Mason in the Masonic Lodge, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, life member in the American Legion, a life member in the Disabled American Veterans, a life member of the Fontana Elk's Lodge, belonged to the Eagles, the Moose Lodge, the California Rifle & Pistol Assn., The N.R.A., etc.

His wife Mary liked to play Bingo and pull the slots but not Carl, he wanted to be around and talk to people. He also knew how to grow good tasting tomatoes and had all kinds of fruit trees for his friends and neighbors. His lawn was the prettiest and greenest on Park Avenue. He had an odd way to keep bugs and worms out of his tomatoes and fruit trees and no ants or spiders in the house all without the aid of chemicals.

His beloved wife Mary preceded him in death, they were married for 57 years at her passing. He will be sorely missed by his 2 children 7 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Viewing, Wednesday September 19, 2012 from 4-8pm at Green Acres Mortuary and Chapel. Funeral service will be on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 10am also at Green Acres Mortuary and burial to follow at Green Acres Memorial Park.