Alan “Art” DeWitt, 67, of Martinton, IL died Monday November 2, 2020 peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born March 4, 1953 at St. Mary’s hospital in Kankakee, the son of Jack and Mary (Shyke) DeWitt.
Art attended the Martinton Grade School until the age of 7 when his family moved to Watseka. The remainder of his education was completed at Watseka Community Schools. Art married Julie Pelehowski on October 23, 1976. They lived in Martinton and raised three daughters. Art was elected the Martinton Township Road Commissioner in 1993. He continued to hold that position for 27 years until his recent retirement. At one time he was an Iroquois County board member, a volunteer of the Martinton Fire Protection District, as well as a member of the Martinton Lions Club. One of his first jobs was at the Quality grocery store in Watseka. Art thought this earned him the right to “take” a caramel each time he shopped there, nearly daily, until they closed their doors. He enjoyed his work operating heavy equipment for employers including the Iroquois County Highway Department, Triangle Construction, Iroquois Paving Company, as well as others. Art was often quoted as saying “I built this road”, especially while committing traffic offenses.
Art enjoyed spending time with his grandkids most of all. He enjoyed breakfasts at VIPs restaurant, boating with family, cooking for family, glasses of ice-cold Pepsi and iced tea, mowing his grass, and watching Westerns, especially Rio Bravo. Art was quite the quick-witted comedian and always enjoyed making people laugh, even if it was at their own expense.
Surviving are three daughters, Erin (Delaney) Gwaltney, Erica (Brent) Carlson, Bethany DeWitt, and one bonus son Darren DeWitt; as well as his pride and joy, 7 grandchildren: Ty and Ava Carlson, Grayson and Ryder Gwaltney, Lennon DeWitt, and bonus grandchildren Preston and Dylan DeWitt.
Art is also survived by his aunts, Eileen (Shyke) Ratliff, Margaret (Shyke) Leveque, and Betty (Brown) DeWitt; an older sister, Kathy (Kevin) Webster, and his younger, more handsome, brother, Charlie (Pam) DeWitt. He is also survived by his ex-wife Julie (Pelehowski) DeWitt, many cousins, and nieces and nephews David DeWitt, Lindsay (Webster) Maple, Teri (Webster) Tincher, Danny DeWitt, Wesley DeWitt, Landon Webster, and Emily (DeWitt) Martin; and 10 great-nieces and nephews.
Art’s last wish was that his brother Charlie fill his shoes as the “boss” of the family.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Jack and Mary DeWitt, his older brother Steve DeWitt, and younger brother Bob DeWitt.
A Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am on Friday, November 6, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Beaverville. Fr. Dan Belanger will officiate. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Martinton.
Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at Baier Funeral Home in Watseka. The family kindly asks that you please wear a facemask and practice responsible social distancing.
Memorials may be made to “Family’s Wishes” as they plan to use the funds for a Martinton Park project.
Please share a memory of Art at baierfuneralhome.com.
“I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends would respect me. The others can do whatever the hell they please.” -John Wayne
