Lilbern "Art" Witham

Lilbern A. “Art” Witham, Jr., 85, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2015, at Olathe Medical Center. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, April 2, 2015, at Evergreen Mound Cemetery, Franklin County, Kansas. Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Witham from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Art was born Tuesday, February 11, 1930, in Pomona, Kansas, the son of Lilbern A. and Mabel I. (Green) Witham, Sr. He lived in several locations throughout the midwest during his aviation employment. In the mid 1980’s, he moved to Ottawa where he made his home until his death. He graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1948, and began working for McCall Electric. Art served in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954. Following his military service he flew a crop-duster. He worked 25 years for the Federal Aviation Administration in Kansas City, Missouri, at the weather information center, and in the mid 1980’s to early 1990’s sold real estate in this area. Survivors include his brother, Howard Witham and wife, Karen of Ottawa; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don Rose and Donna Rose; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Frances Rose; brother, James Witham; and niece, Kathy Rose. The family suggests memorial contributions to Appanoose Museum c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to leave their condolences and memories on Art’s Celebration Wall at www.dengelmortuary .com