Obituary for Homer David Witmer
Witmer July 29, 1940 - January 11, 2024
Passed away on January 11, 2024, at Hospice Waterloo, in Waterloo, ON at the age of 83.
Homer David Homer was born in Salem, Ohio to Enos and Hannah (Wenger) Witmer. He was the seventh son in a large Mennonite farm family that also had five daughters. Proceeding him in death were his parents and seven siblings: Elmer, Ralph, Owen, Elvin, Grace, Stella, and Vesta. Surviving are siblings Daniel, James, Esther, Marjorie, and four Witmer in-laws; Doris, Ross, Nancy, and Rachel. Homer is also survived by many Wideman in-laws: David (Verna), Howard (Mary), Merle, Willis (Kathy), Mary (Paul), Carol, Florence, and Gwen. As well, Homer has many Witmer and Wideman nieces and nephews.
Homer met his future wife, Loreen Wideman, in 1973 at Fraser Lake Camp where he was the director and she was the camp nurse. Loreen died in 1995, after many years of dealing with the challenges of brain cancer. Homer and Loreen were a good support to each other during their 21 years of marriage.
Homer had two degrees. The first a BA in Psychology from San Francisco State University and the second a masters in Divinity from McMaster University. Homer had a gift for making friends and helping others. He used his education and this gift in a career of social work including working for the Hamilton CAS with crown wards and then later in life in ministry. He was a pastor for a small congregation and a chaplain in several senior homes. All of these accomplishments were in spite of Homer having lifelong health challenges.
Homer loved to travel and loved music. One of his good memories, is exploring and hiking in Yosemite National Park, during his seven years living in California. He did driving trips to the west and east coasts and enjoyed a family history trip with several siblings to Europe.
Homer had a lovely tenor voice and was a church song leader for many years. He started the monthly hymn sing for the Markham/Stouffville Mennonite churches that was held at Wideman church for many years. He also started a monthly very well attended community hymn sing, when he moved to Selkirk. Homer had a membership for the Toronto Symphony and was also a membership for the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony. Over the years, these concerts brought him a lot of pleasure.
In addition to the monthly hymn sings in Stouffville and Selkirk, Homer identified needs and brought together interested people to address other gaps in the community. This included the Fraser Lake Camp Thanksgiving retreat for single young adults and the Dunnville Youth Impact organization.
A private family interment was held at Rainham Mennonite Cemetery aka Hoover Cemetery, in Selkirk, ON.
A Memorial will be held at Community Room at the Wilmot Recreation Complex - 1291 Nafziger Road, Baden, ON, on January 28, 2024 at 2:00 PM. For those unable to attend, a livestream is available at
https://www.henrywalser.com/live-streaming
As expressions of sympathy, donations to Compassion Canada, Rainham Mennonite Church, Selkirk, ON or to the Westhills Mennonite Fellowship, Baden, ON would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).
Passed away on January 11, 2024, at Hospice Waterloo, in Waterloo, ON at the age of 83.
Homer David Homer was born in Salem, Ohio to Enos and Hannah (Wenger) Witmer. He was the seventh son in a large Mennonite farm family that also had five daughters. Proceeding him in death were his parents and seven siblings: Elmer, Ralph, Owen, Elvin, Grace, Stella, and Vesta. Surviving are siblings Daniel, James, Esther, Marjorie, and four Witmer in-laws; Doris, Ross, Nancy, and Rachel. Homer is also survived by many Wideman in-laws: David (Verna), Howard (Mary), Merle, Willis (Kathy), Mary (Paul), Carol, Florence, and Gwen. As well, Homer has many Witmer and Wideman nieces and nephews.
Homer met his future wife, Loreen Wideman, in 1973 at Fraser Lake Camp where he was the director and she was the camp nurse. Loreen died in 1995, after many years of dealing with the challenges of brain cancer. Homer and Loreen were a good support to each other during their 21 years of marriage.
Homer had two degrees. The first a BA in Psychology from San Francisco State University and the second a masters in Divinity from McMaster University. Homer had a gift for making friends and helping others. He used his education and this gift in a career of social work including working for the Hamilton CAS with crown wards and then later in life in ministry. He was a pastor for a small congregation and a chaplain in several senior homes. All of these accomplishments were in spite of Homer having lifelong health challenges.
Homer loved to travel and loved music. One of his good memories, is exploring and hiking in Yosemite National Park, during his seven years living in California. He did driving trips to the west and east coasts and enjoyed a family history trip with several siblings to Europe.
Homer had a lovely tenor voice and was a church song leader for many years. He started the monthly hymn sing for the Markham/Stouffville Mennonite churches that was held at Wideman church for many years. He also started a monthly very well attended community hymn sing, when he moved to Selkirk. Homer had a membership for the Toronto Symphony and was also a membership for the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony. Over the years, these concerts brought him a lot of pleasure.
In addition to the monthly hymn sings in Stouffville and Selkirk, Homer identified needs and brought together interested people to address other gaps in the community. This included the Fraser Lake Camp Thanksgiving retreat for single young adults and the Dunnville Youth Impact organization.
A private family interment was held at Rainham Mennonite Cemetery aka Hoover Cemetery, in Selkirk, ON.
A Memorial will be held at Community Room at the Wilmot Recreation Complex - 1291 Nafziger Road, Baden, ON, on January 28, 2024 at 2:00 PM. For those unable to attend, a livestream is available at
https://www.henrywalser.com/live-streaming
As expressions of sympathy, donations to Compassion Canada, Rainham Mennonite Church, Selkirk, ON or to the Westhills Mennonite Fellowship, Baden, ON would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).