Gerald Edward Witmer

Gerald was born in Salem, Ohio to parents Warren and Lucille (Detwiler) Witmer on August 22, 1961. His father began teaching him carpentry as a small child, leading him to develop incredible skill and igniting a life-long passion for carpentry, wood-working, and building. Just after turning 20, Gerald married the love of his life, Marlene (Baer) Witmer on August 29, 1981. A year into their marriage, Gerald and Marlene moved onto the family farm next to his uncle’s feed mill, Witmer Feed and Grain, where he worked at the mill and helped manage his uncle’s hog operation. He attended and was heavily involved in serving at North Lima Mennonite Church throughout this time.

Despite testicular cancer at the age of fourteen, Gerald and Marlene were blessed with two sons, Ryan in 1986 and Austin in 1987. In 1990, Gerald and his family followed his parents to Maryland, where he began helping his father build houses. Despite a second bout of testicular cancer, Gerald continued working at WD Builder’s Inc., which later became Potomac Valley Builders LLC. Upon his father’s retirement, Gerald became part owner of the company. He attended Living Word Bible Fellowship (formerly Dawsonville Mennonite Church), where he was a council member, council chairman, maintenance director, groundskeeper, and usher. He was known for his hospitality and willingness to serve in whatever capacity needed in his church, his family, or his community.

Gerald and Marlene desired to have more children and had always been open to adoption, but after being given a brochure from their pastor’s wife about adoption from China and attending a seminar, they were sure it was what the Lord was calling them to do. In 2001, the family traveled to China to adopt their first daughter, Kayla and in 2007, they were called to return and adopt Leana, making their family complete.

In 2013, Gerald moved the family to a farm on the outskirts of Poolesville, Maryland and remained there for eight years, working and serving despite multiple diagnoses of colon cancer and significant health decline. In 2016, Gerald became a patient and research subject at the National Institute of Health.

In 2021, Gerald and Marlene moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and later built a home down the road from their son and his wife, Ryan and Rhea Witmer, and their friends, Ralph and Colleen Miller in Chickamauga, Georgia. He attended Calvary Chapel Chattanooga, quickly becoming engaged in the community through the church and small group.

Gerald was a man known for his work ethic, perseverance, and willingness to serve people inside and outside of his community. He went on mission and disaster relief trips within the United

States but also in Haiti, Honduras, and Ethiopia. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, teaching and mentoring young men interested in building and construction, and he loved his family deeply, cherishing his role as a father and grandfather. Recently, when speaking about his life, Gerald exclaimed, “I got 50 more years of life than I was supposed to”, and he did not waste a moment of the time he was given.

Gerald was survived by his wife of 43 years, Marlene (Baer) Witmer; his children Ryan Edward Witmer (Rhea Valentine Witmer) of Chickamauga, Georgia, Austin Warren Witmer (Constance Reginaldi Witmer) of Raleigh North Carolina, Kayla Ann Zheng Witmer of Chicago, Illinois, and Leana Effie Jing Witmer of Chickamauga, Georgia; his grandchildren Adrienne Joy Witmer and Wes Daniel Witmer of Raleigh, North Carolina, and soon-to-be-born Baer Phillips Witmer of Chickamauga, Georgia; his sister Joyce Nafziger (Mark Nafziger) of Archbold, Ohio; and his brother Dennis Witmer of Minot, North Dakota.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his two sisters Cheryl (Witmer) Wenger and Marlene (Witmer) Wilhelm.

Visitation will be held at Calvary Chapel Chattanooga on Sunday, July 13 at 2:00pm, and his Celebration of Life Service will begin at 3:00pm with food and fellowship to follow at Common Table.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations go to Calvary Chapel Chattanooga (3415 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37409), CRU (PO Box 628222, Orlando, FL 32862; reference number 0596575), or Wycliffe Bible Translators (P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862; reference number 00472089).

Arrangements entrusted to Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services Franklin -Strickland Chapel, 1724 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN, 37404, 423-265-4414. Please visit our website to share your memories: www.advantagefranklin-strickland.com