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6601 38th Ave.
Moline,
IL
61265
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Memories & Candles
Previous
“I've known Mr. Witte for many years now. I am a former classmate of his son Steve and a parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
I also was a...Read More »
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1 of 44 | Posted by: Michele Wilson McKee - IL
“Steve used to lector at Sacred Heart Church in Molline and I am also a lector. Cathie went to school with my daughter Robin McFarland. I have seen...Read More »
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2 of 44 | Posted by: Rita Wildman - East Moline, IL
“Our sincere condolences go out to Dawn and the family.
Steve was an amazing man with a great spirit.
He will be greatly missed.
Our prayers and...Read More »
”
3 of 44 | Posted by: Living Lands & Waters - IL
“Sorry to hear of the passing on Mr. Witte. I remember on on him and Dawn at chi chi's several years ago. He was always pleasant ant enjoyable to chat...Read More »
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4 of 44 | Posted by: Jerry hill
“My condolences to the Witte family and to Dawn for your loss. Steve is greatly missed and will always be in my thoughts. I met him when I worked at...Read More »
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5 of 44 | Posted by: Elaine Kaple - Moline, IL
“I worked with Steve at the Botanical Center. I'm so sorry to hear he passed away. He was one of those people that was always happy to see you and...Read More »
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6 of 44 | Posted by: Marissa Alvidrez - Muscatine, IA
“The Best teacher in the world! Your Smile will be missed! You will be missed! so glad i had you as my teacher 1989-1990! Helped me thru alot in order...Read More »
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7 of 44 | Posted by: Julie Burleson (cain) - geneseo, IL
“Greg and family so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. Will say a prayer for all of you. Am in Florida for the rest of the winter but wanted...Read More »
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8 of 44 | Posted by: Barb Buranek-Lindahl - Moline, IL
“Our sincere condolences to your family and Dawn. Steve was such a generous and caring person. I have many fond memories of him as both a former...Read More »
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9 of 44 | Posted by: Joel Ryser - Moline, IL
“What a awsome teacher.He will be missed by all
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10 of 44 | Posted by: Gary Vols - Moline, IL
“Steve and Dawn...You're Father/Significant Other, had an amazing spirit! He was my high school Psych teacher at MHS, and I remember when he had us do...Read More »
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11 of 44 | Posted by: Sheila Skaggs - Moline, IL
“To the Witte Family...
Mr. Witte was a wounderful man.. he will be greatly missed. God Bless..
...Read More »
”
12 of 44 | Posted by: Kelley - moline, IL - friend
“Steve was my English teacher when I was a freshman at Alleman. He was a good teacher and a very nice man. He was always friendly when I'd see him...Read More »
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13 of 44 | Posted by: Sue Maynard Simmons - Moline, IL
“Dawn--So sorry to hear of Steve's passing. I always enjoyed your visits with him to The Cellar. You are in my thoughts...
Lynn
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14 of 44 | Posted by: Lynn Turnbull - Geneseo, IL
“Dawn: I anticipated being at Steve's visitation tonight. But the weather is doing its thing to me again. The skies are clearing, but the temps are...Read More »
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15 of 44 | Posted by: Ernie and Sally Fuhr
“My sympathy to Steve's children, I will be praying for Steve and to him for you.
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16 of 44 | Posted by: Sister J.T. (Judith Terese McNulty,BVM) - IL
“Sorry to hear of Steve's passing.Met Steve through golf.Played a lot of golf with Steve.Worked with Steve at the John Deere Classic.Always had a...Read More »
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17 of 44 | Posted by: Tony and Deb Brzostowski - IL
“Steve,
We were sorry to hear about your dad. Our thoughts are with you.
”
18 of 44 | Posted by: Randy & Joanee McDanel - Colona, IL
“Learning today by internet of Steves passing and totally shocked. It has been a long time since we all have seen the Witte's, but We want you to...Read More »
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19 of 44 | Posted by: Jack and linda Crabtree - MI
“I had Mr. Witte at Coolidge probably close to the beginning of his teaching career. He was one of the best teachers I ever had. I remember him as...Read More »
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20 of 44 | Posted by: Gayle Whitebook
“My condolences to Stephanie, Greg, Steve's children, extended family and friends. May your sadness be tempered by your memories of being part of...Read More »
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21 of 44 | Posted by: Harry Schoonbaert - Carmichael, CA
“You have my deepest sympathy on the passing of Steve.
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22 of 44 | Posted by: Joseph VanThournout - Milan, IL
“We are praying for you!
”
23 of 44 | Posted by: The Schoonmaker Family
“I' m sorry that I can't come to the visitation. I remember how much fun it was to work at the golf tournament with Steve
”
24 of 44 | Posted by: Harvey Green - Geneseo
“I also had Mr. Witte as a teacher at MHS but most recently got to know him through the "Grunt Crew" at the John Deere Classic with my father Don...Read More »
”
25 of 44 | Posted by: Shelley Shick - Knoxville, TN
“Dawn and all the members of the Witte family,
I was saddened when notified of Steve's death. Sr. Mary Ruth had talked so often and so lovingly...Read More »
”
26 of 44 | Posted by: Sister Paula Vasquez
“To all the family and Dawn:
Steve had written Ken & I the nicest card as Ken was ill. He was ill himself,
but bothered to write us. It is so...Read More »
”
27 of 44 | Posted by: Julie Hanger - Moline, IL
“Our entire Class wishes to express our sympathies to all of Steve's FAmily, especially our Classmate (Greg). Steve was a very cool guy. Many of...Read More »
”
28 of 44 | Posted by: Alleman Class of 1965 - Milan, IL
“Funny how I never had Steve as a teacher, but his reputation for humor and understanding students proceeded him. He was in a class all by himself and...Read More »
”
29 of 44 | Posted by: Mark Schrupp - Bettendorf, IA
“We are saddened to hear of Steve's passing. He has made a valiant struggle for the last year and was so fortunate to have Dawn on the journey with...Read More »
”
30 of 44 | Posted by: Suzanne and Tom Auman - Tucson, AZ
“I am so sorry to hear the news. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
”
31 of 44 | Posted by: Gail Strebel - Jerseyville, IL
“He was such a great teacher. He will be missed.
”
32 of 44 | Posted by: Geniveive Yeater - moline, IL
“Wow, what a tremendous loss! Mr. Witte was one of my two favorite teachers at MHS & he truly made high school bearable for me. Dawn put up with me as...Read More »
”
33 of 44 | Posted by: Elisa (VanLerberghe) Thorstenson - TX
“To Dawn and all Steve's family,
We wish to send our deepest sympathy for the passing of a terrific man. It has been a long road, but Steve has...Read More »
”
34 of 44 | Posted by: Bill and Beth Schmidt - FL
“The Birmingham family wishes the sincerest of condolences to family and friends of Steve. Our prayers are with all of you.
(My mother had been a...Read More »
”
35 of 44 | Posted by: Ann Birmingham Allen - Sparta, WI
“Such a sad thing to hear that one of the best teachers I've ever had has passes. I was so blessed to have him in his final year of teaching. He was...Read More »
”
36 of 44 | Posted by: Charles Owen - Milan, IL
“Steve (Mr. Witte) was an incredible man. I am thankful to have had him as a teacher and a friend. His kindness and generosity were too great to be...Read More »
”
37 of 44 | Posted by: Tom Terronez - Davenport, IA
“Steve was a very special member of our family for over 30 years. He had a marked kindness, wisdom and interest in everyone he came into contact with....Read More »
”
38 of 44 | Posted by: Becky Geuns
“Mr Witte was my teacher at Moline High School, he always had a smile on his face and he made school worth coming for. I couldn't wait to get to his...Read More »
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39 of 44 | Posted by: Karlene McKinley - Moline, IL
“I remember Mr. Witte as a former teacher of mine. I was teacher's pet...and I think that is why he chose to be the one to send me to the office for...Read More »
”
40 of 44 | Posted by: Kayla Stemple Nagle - Moline, IL
“he was very funny it was a great loss. I barely knew him but I know he was kind and funny. I will miss him very much.He was a good teacher.I will...Read More »
”
41 of 44 | Posted by: Ellie Reineke - Morton, IL
“Stephen Witte was an educator of many, a dear family member to all. He was commited to taking care of the people who loved him and shall be missed...Read More »
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42 of 44 | Posted by: Ryan Meehan - Moline, IL
“Our deepest sympathy to Dawn and the entire family.
”
43 of 44 | Posted by: Tim and Margo Miller
“We Simply wish it wasn't so..
”
44 of 44 | Posted by: Jim Brandmeyer - Rock Island, IL
Stephen E. "Steve" Witte, age 70, of Moline, died Saturday, January 14, 2012 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, surrounded by his loving family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1307-17th Avenue, Moline. Visitation is Tuesday from 3:00-7:00 p.m. with a liturgy service at 2:45 p.m. at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. 6601-38th Avenue, Moline. Burial is at St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline. Memorials may be made to the Quad City Botanical Center, Rock Island, or Living Lands & Waters, East Moline.
He was born July 19, 1941 to Earl and Mary Coopman Witte, Moline.
Steve was a teacher at Alleman, Coolidge and Moline High Schools for a total of 38 years. He retired from Moline High School in 2001. He was fortunate to be known by many of his past students as "their favorite teacher." It was common for Steve to have taught generations of students from the same family. He was involved in a variety of organizations and activities through the schools and was on the high court for the Catholic Order of Foresters. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Moline. He loved to learn and constantly pursed educational opportunities. Steve graduated from Western Illinois University with his Bachelor 's degree and in 1986 with his Master's degree. He took summer courses at George Mason University. More recently, he became an Illinois Master Naturalist and subsequently volunteered hundreds of hours at the Quad City Botanical Center, and made many dear friends there. He also loved volunteering on the "grunt crew" at the John Deere Classic. He worked for and volunteered at the Quad City Arts on various projects. He was a very generous donor to a variety of local, regional, and national charities and organizations. He enjoyed playing and watching golf, and was always looking for the newest club or item to add to his golf bag. Steve loved to listen to, or tell a good joke. He loved a wide variety of musical styles, and always made sure the bass was up as high as it could go in whatever car he happened to be driving at the time. He loved outfitting his cars with "the extras."
He is survived by his very special girlfriend of over 30 years, Dawn Fensterbusch of Moline.
Children Steve Witte Davenport
Cathie (Perry) Rochau Moline
Granddaughter Hollie Rochau Moline
Sister Stephanie (Larry) Reineke Davenport
Brother Greg (Karyn) Witte Davenport
Aunt Sr. Mary Ruth Coopman Peoria
Nephews Mike Reineke, Matt Reineke and Jeff Witte
Niece Annette Witte Eberhardt
Numerous cousins
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Online condolences may be expressed to his family by visiting his obituary at www.esterdahl.com.
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