Sara Witt

Sara Witt, 93, of South Bend, passed away Saturday afternoon, November 21, 2015, in the Sanctuary at St. Paul’s.

Sara was born August 15, 1922 in LaPorte, the daughter of the late Edwin and Genevieve (Newlin) Schurz. She grew up in LaPorte and was a graduate of LaPorte High School. Sara furthered her education graduating from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri, where she also played the harp, taking part in many ensemble performances.

On December 24, 1942 in LaPorte, Sara married Robert L. “Bob” Witt. They moved to Mishawaka in 1946 and settled in South Bend in 1954.

For many years Sara was a reading tutor at Studebaker Elementary School. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in South Bend. Her volunteer activities included the Christ Child Society, CASA, the American Heart Association and Camp Fire Girls. Sara was active in two bridge clubs, a book club and a Bible study. She loved music, dancing, IU Basketball and decorating for Christmas. She enjoyed traveling, whether it was camping in Yellowstone, parasailing in Mexico or touring Europe. Sara loved to entertain and was a great cook and baker. Her cakes and pies were the highlight of every family birthday gathering. Nothing made her happier than having friends and family around the dinner table sharing good food and lots of laughter. She was featured several times in the food section of the South Bend Tribune. Most of all Sara’s greatest passion was her family. She loved being a wife, a mom, grandma, great grandma and great-great grandma. Everyone she met was a friend and there was nothing she would not do to help anyone who needed her. Her hugs could help heal any heartache.

Sara’s surviving family includes five children, Lynne Barnaby, John (Teresa) Witt, Kathleen (Paul Romero) Witt, Rebecca (Robert) Martindale and Barbara (Brian) Levan; a sister-in-law, Rosebell Schurz; eleven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

Sara was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; a daughter, Nancy Kovach; a son, David Witt; a son-in-law, David Barnaby; her brother, Edwin “Woody” Schurz; and one grandchild.

Services honoring Sara’s life will be held Friday, November 27, at 12 noon in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka, with her grandson, Rev. Mark Barnaby leading the service. Burial will be at a later date in Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte.

Sara’s family will receive friends Friday from 11 am - 12 noon in the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Center for Hospice Care or Riverbend Cancer Services. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.