Donald “Don” Dale Witt

Donald “Don” Dale Witt, 83, was born in Blackjack, MO, on Sept. 15, 1940, to Elmer and Cordie (Bland) Witt. He was the third of Elmer and Cordie’s four sons, with older brothers, Doyle and Dwain, and brother, Leslie, who died in infancy. Don passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City.

Don graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1958, where he excelled in baseball. He married his best friend and the love of his life, Sharon “Sis” Stacy in Townsend, MT, on Feb. 27, 1962. To their union three children were born: Scott, Stacie and Terri. Don worked for the Bureau of Land Management for twelve years, surveying in the states of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, and then returned to El Dorado Springs to operate Witt’s 66 (later Witt’s Derby) in partnership with his brother, Dwain, for 33 years.

Don continued his love of baseball by coaching American Legion Baseball, where he had a positive impact on his players; and he developed a passion for the game of golf. As his children grew, he was very involved in their activities and was a devoted El Dorado Springs Bulldog fan throughout his lifetime. Don and Sis rarely missed a sporting event in which any of their grandchildren played. He spent many of his “retirement” years transporting vehicles for Larry Bland and Harold McFadden.

Don was saved on Feb. 11, 1996. He sincerely loved the Lord and attended the El Dorado Springs Church of God (Holiness). His greatest desire was to set a Christian example in his life so that his children would also come to know the Lord. Don and Sis were married for 62 years. He was a true gentleman who deeply loved and cared for his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Leslie and Doyle; and his sister-in-law, Bonnie (Dwain) Witt.

Don is survived by his wife, Sis; brother, Dwain Witt; sister-in-law, Cleo (Doyle) Witt; brother and sister-in-law, Darl and Bobbie Mays; son, Scott Witt, and his wife, Jana; daughter, Stacie Stutesman and her husband, Larry; daughter, Terri Schaaf, and her husband, Dusty; grandchildren: Taylor Austin and her husband, Dayton, Tanner Witt, Tilar Witt, Brittany Toliver and her husband, Morgan, Alexa Schaaf, Kameron McKenzie and her husband, Ty, Reese Schaaf, and Neely Schaaf; great-grandchildren: Conlin Bush, Olivia Austin, Abigail Austin, and Eleanor Austin; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Don Witt was held Sunday, April 21, at the El Dorado Springs Church of God (Holiness) with Rev. Joe Trussell and Rev. Brent Bland officiating. Interment followed at the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Conlin Bush, Morgan Toliver, Tanner Witt, Dayton Austin, Ty McKenzie and Kevin Costello.

Honorary pallbearers were Harold McFadden, Larry Bland, Randy Bobbett, Steve Banks, Dennis Gilbert, Chuck Johnson, White Randy Bland and Darl Mays.

Memorial donations may be made to the El Dorado Springs Booster Club or the American Heart Association and left at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at: www.blandhackleman.com.