George Edwin "Ed" DeWitt

George Edwin “Ed” DeWitt, age 89, of Kinross, Michigan, died December 14, 2018, at home, surrounded by his family. He was born August 14, 1929, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to George Samuel and Gertrude (Folkersma) DeWitt. Ed’s family moved to Rudyard when he was two. He attended Rudyard Schools graduating in 1947. He took over the family farm at the age of seventeen when his father died. Ed married Joyce Elaine Baxter on September 14, 1951, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. For many years, Ed would cut timber in the winter in addition to operating the farm all year. When his son Randy was grown, they both went to school and became licensed pilots. They started Midwest Air Charter Service and owned thirteen airplanes at one point. They operated the F.B.O. office at the Chippewa County International Airport. When Randy died, Ed discontinued the charter business and retired. Ed was a lifelong member of the Christian Reformed Church in Rudyard and was very active in the Eastern Upper Peninsula Chapter of Gideons International, where he was currently president. He was also active in the local Farm Bureau, serving as its president at various times over the years. He served on the Kinross Township Board for seventeen years and was also a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association. Ed loved golfing. He was an avid softball player, playing at first base for over 45 years until he was age 70. He also enjoyed hunting, boating, and water skiing. He was a sports enthusiast who followed many sports. He usually switched between events on the television to catch as many as possible including hockey, NASCAR, baseball, football, golf, etc. Ed is survived by his wife, Joyce; daughters, Judith Louise (Gary) Cox of Sparta, Tennessee, and Patricia Ann (Tom) Hirt of Sault Ste. Marie; daughter-in-law, Karen DeWitt Gibson of Rudyard; grandchildren, Jeremy Cox, Jason (Kristen) Cox, William (Christina) DeWitt, Bradley (Ara) DeWitt, Karl (Paige Bell) DeWitt, Jason (Jackie) Hirt, James (Katey) Hirt, Jessica (Jacob) Eitrem, and Anna Joy Hirt; great grandchildren, Claire, Tony, Faith, Sebastian, Emma, Abigail, and Gwen; sister, Phyllis Baxter of Rudyard; brother, Roger (Winifred “Spike”) DeWitt of Des Moines, Iowa; and sisters-in-law, Gladys Baxter of Allendale, Michigan, and Marge Baxter of Riverside, California. Ed was preceded in death by his son, Randall George DeWitt; great grandchildren, Peter Cox and Sarah Cox; sister, Marie Postma; brothers, Wilfred DeWitt and Ronald DeWitt; brothers-in-law, Horace Baxter, Sherwood Baxter, and Douglas Baxter. Services will be held Wednesday, December 19, at the Rudyard Christian Reformed Church. Visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 P.M. followed by the funeral service beginning at 2:00 P.M. Burial will be in North Rudyard Township Cemetery in the spring. Memorials may be made to EUP Gideons International, 12025 Haylake Road, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783; Christian Reformed Church, 17970 S. Tilson Rd., Rudyard, MI 49780; or Hospice of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

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George Edwin "Ed" DeWitt

August 14, 1929 - December 14, 2018