Alvin Arthur Wittig

Alvin A. Wittig, age 79, of Siloam Springs, Ark., and former Sidney, Neb., resident, passed away Monday, May 19, 2014, at the Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Ark. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 27, in the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel in Sidney. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Monday from 1-7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Al's name to the Siloam Springs Animal Shelter, 300 N. Lincoln St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761; or to the donor's choice. You may view Al's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Al's care and funeral arrangements. Friends may send condolences and flowers to Gehrig-Stitt Chapel, 1140 10th Avenue, Sidney, NE 69162. Alvin Arthur Wittig, the son of Arthur and Hulda (Beckmann) Wittig, was born on June 26, 1934, at the family farm south of Sidney. He was the third generation to live on the original homestead. The farm had been homesteaded by his grandfather, Fred Wittig Sr., a pioneer who had come to Western Nebraska from Germany. At age 19, Al and his father leased the Standard Service Station which was located across from the Sidney Post Office. After years of long hours of farming and running the station, they gave up the lease and went back to farming. On June 18, 1961, Alvin was united in marriage to Donna Jean Beck at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sidney. To this union a son, Calvin, and a daughter, Angela, were born. They made their home on the farm near Sidney and later purchased the Sears Store and ran it for many years. In 1988, they sold the store and moved to Arkansas where they purchased a convenience store. After two years he sold the store and began driving truck for J.B. Hunt. He then fulfilled his dream of owning a chicken farm, which he operated for 10 years. The family then purchased the Daylight Donut Shop in Siloam Springs. It is still family operated after 18 years in business. Alvin officially retired in 2011 after an auto accident which left him unable to work. Al was an avid animal lover and had a passion for his family, friends and his work. Survivors include his daughter, Angela Stanfill, his granddaughter, Callie Stanfill, both of Siloam Springs, Ark.; a sister, Norma Jean Rogers of Sidney; brothers-in-law, Ronald Hadeen of Sidney, and Larry Beck and wife, Shirley, of California; sister-in-law, Elisha Baugh of Wisconsin; and numerous extended family members and friends. Alvin was preceded in death by his wife, Donna in 2010; son, Calvin in 1993; his parents; parents-in-law, George and Leona Beck; sister, Bernice Hadeen in 2013; brother-in-law, James Rogers in 2011; and sisters-in-law, Bethel Sauer and Alana Sheets.