David B. Witham, of Niles
May 27, 1958 — March 22, 2015
Niles Daily Star, Published 9:43am Wednesday, March 25, 2015
David B. Witham, 56, of Niles, Michigan died at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2015, at his home, unexpectedly.
- David B. Witham
He was born on May 27, 1958, in Niles to Allan Dale and Wanda L. (Woods) Witham. He was graduated from Niles High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from William James College at Grand Valley State Colleges. He was a professional instrumental musician in both sacred music and more contemporary styles. He was also a photographer, working for several years at the South Bend Tribune before going freelance to pitch photos of breaking news and athletic events to various newspapers and wire services. He eventually narrated his photographs, successfully pitching complete packages with story and photograph.
David was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles where he also served as Organist. He had formerly volunteered with the Niles City Fire Department and collected “old school” rotating beacon emergency lights. He was a licensed amateur radio operator with the call sign KC8KXZ. He had a special affinity for pets, especially his two Cocker Spaniels: Schatzie and Schafer.
On Aug. 27, 1994, at Saint Mary Catholic Church he married the former Rhonda Sue Grady with whom he celebrated last year the 20th anniversary of their wedding.
Surviving family includes his wife, Rhonda Witham; his mother, Wanda L. Graham of Niles; brother Richard (Kris) Witham of Spring Lake, Michigan and their daughter Morgan Witham; and Rhonda’s mother, Loretta Mattocks, grandmother, Evelyn Moneysmith; and sister Pam (Mike) Malisa and their daughters, Kimberly Johnson, Megan Malisa, and Stephanie Allen.
He was preceded in death by his father, Allan Dale Witham in 1977; and by a step-father, Ross Graham in 2014.
The Catholic Funeral Liturgy for David Witham will be read at 11 a.m. Friday, March 27, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles by the Rev. Alphonse Savarimuthu, MSFS of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles. Committal Rites will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of David may be made to the Instrumental Music Department of Niles High School.
www.halbritterfunerals.com