Warren D. DeWitt

Warren Duane DeWitt, 92, of Holland, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 9, 2021.

Warren was born in Grand Rapids to Martin and Judith DeWitt, a graduate of South High School and Hope College, and served as an aviator in the U.S. Navy, flying off aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean.

Warren was a devoted husband to his wife of 70 years, Helen (Clark), father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose life illustrated through action his love for family and his devotion to God’s work. His career in sales and as an executive brought him to over 30 countries around the world. His biggest impact, though, was always in his local church and community. He and Helen were among the original members of Olentangy Christian Reformed Church in Columbus, OH and helped establish the Woodland Drive-In Church in Grand Rapids. Both congregations are still active. He served as an elder, deacon, or member of pastoral search committees in multiple churches as work and a growing family brought them to 18 different residences over the course of their marriage. For the last 32 years of his life, Warren was a member of First Reformed Church of Holland, where he also served as Clerk of the Consistory and, for many years, Business Manager and volunteer in the Care Closet and with Kids Hope.

Warren is remembered for his love of sports, including regular attendance at Ohio State and then UMichigan football and Hope College football, basketball, and volleyball. He went to hundreds, perhaps thousands, of his children’s and grandchildren’s games - from Seattle to Connecticut - and kept a scorebook for his children’s basketball games as a way to keep him occupied so he would not complain about officials. He then took on the role of official in over a decade worth of Gus Macker tournaments in Sterling, IL.

He is survived by his wife, Helen; his children Mark (Donna) DeWitt of Muskegon; Gail (Jon) Soderstrom of Madison, CT; Craig (Susan) DeWitt of Beaufort, SC; and Scott (Nancy) DeWitt of Saugatuck; eleven grandchildren: Rachelle (Edward) Soderstrom of San Francisco; Lance (Allison) DeWitt of Austin, TX; Kari Soderstrom of Madison, CT; Jordan DeWitt of Austin, TX; Luke (Stephanie) Soderstrom of Holland; Paige DeWitt of Caledonia, WI (and fiance Jared Seymour); Eric Canter of Los Angeles; Chris DeWitt of Kalamazoo; Grant (Suki) DeWitt of Arvada, CO; Jason DeWitt of Hudsonville (and fiancee Amanda Tomes); Corrine DeWitt of Muskegon; Seth DeWitt of Cleveland, OH; seven great-grandchildren; and his sister, Judy (Tom) Aardema of Kalamazoo. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cindy and his brother, Earl.

Visitation with the family is 1:00 - 2:00 pm, Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at First Reformed Church, 630 State St, Holland, MI 49423.

Funeral services are 2 pm on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, also at First Reformed Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Warren’s honor may be made to Kids Hope or First Reformed Church of Holland.