Anthony Henry “Tony” Witt, Jr., 90, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 21, 2021.
Born in Hays, Kansas on September 23, 1931, to parents, Anthony Henry, Sr. and Ethel Mae (Waudby) Witt, Tony grew up in Russell, Kansas and graduated from Russell High School in 1949. Following high school, he received his Bachelor of Science in Business and ROTC training at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Tony served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. He met, fell in love and married, Rosanna Berryhill on August 9, 1952, in Russell, Kansas. They were blessed with five children, Debbie, Julie, Anthony III, Stephen and Rebecca. He worked as a farmer on the family’s farm and as an operator and investor in the oil and gas industry. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell and was a third degree Knights of Columbus member. He was also a member of the Elk’s Lodge and past president of the USD #407 Board of Education. Tony’s wife Rosanna, passed away November 6, 2001. He found love a second time in longtime companion, Susan Neil. Tony enjoyed farming, reading, golfing, watching the stock market, traveling, gardening and KU basketball. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.
Tony is survived by his daughters, Julie Witt of Russell, Kansas and Debbie (Collins) Tuley of Leawood, Kansas; sons Stephen Witt (Jay Andrew) of Houston, Texas, and Anthony Witt III of Russell, Kansas; brother Cecil Witt (Karen) of Russell, Kansas; companion Susan Neil of Russell, Kansas; five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Rosanna, daughter Rebecca Jo, four sisters and grandson Mark Moore. A funeral mass to celebrate Tony’s life will be held at 11 A.M. on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 7 P.M., Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with a vigil and rosary service held at 7:15 P.M., Tuesday night at the mortuary. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests memorial contributions in Tony’s honor be directed to the RCACF-Tony Witt Memorial Fund, sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, 610 N. Maple St., Russell, KS 67665. Arrangements under the care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, Russell, Kansas.