Melvin Witte

Melvin William Witte, 84, of Brenham, died May 11, 2005, in Trinity Medical Center in Brenham. Mr. Witte was born Sept. 16, 1920, in Washington, Texas, to Charlie Jr. and Rosa Horstmann Witte. He was baptized Oct. 31, 1920, in Bethlehem Lutheran Church of William Penn by the Rev. H.F. Hellmann and was confirmed April 5, 1936, in Bethlehem Lutheran Church of William Penn by the Rev. C. J. Appel. Mr. Witte attended Sandy Hill and William Penn School and was a graduate of Lockhart High School in Lockhart. From Nov. 2, 1939 to Nov. 6, 1945, he served as a flight chief and airplane electrical mechanic in the U.S. Army Air Force and attained the rank of master sergeant. On April 6, 1947, he was married to Pearl Kramer in Salem Lutheran Church of Salem by the Rev. A. J. Mohr. Mr. Witte played semi-pro baseball and was inducted into the South Texas Baseball Hall of Fame. His nickname was Bullet . Mr. Witte was a truck driver for various beverage companies and Central Freight Lines. He retired from Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Brenham in October, 1982. Mr. Witte was a life member of BPOE 979, was a member of the American Legion and enjoyed watching and listening to baseball. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Joanne and Skip Hollingsworth of Brenham; sisters, Dorothy Hahn and Mae Ola Grebe, both of Brenham; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pearl Witte; and one sister and brother-in-law. The family will receive visitors from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Saturday, May 14 in Memorial Oaks Chapel. The funeral service will be at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 15 in Salem Lutheran Church of Salem with Pastor Bill Derrick, Pastor Lisa Burroughs and Rev. Cecilia Smith officiating. Burial will be in Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. Pallbearers will be Gail Baker, Judy Brooks, Leon Beach, Willie Prigge, Darrell Loesch and Floyd Addicks. Honorary pallbearers will be Monroe Gaskamp, Berry Lee Goldberg, Alan Beckendorf, Glen E. Pohlmeyer, Elroy Wiesepape, Charles Kuecker, Howard Kuecker, all employees of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and all members of Brenham Elks Lodge 979. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Salem Lutheran Church Organ Fund. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St. in Brenham.