Martha J. Witmer, 87, of Newport, passed away peacefully in her own home on Wednesday afternoon, August 14, 2024. Born to John and Lillie (Haines) Kapp on January 14, 1937, she was a Thursday’s child with far to go per the traditional nursery rhyme. But in reality, she was the consummate homebody who ventured outside of Perry County only on rare occasions, most recently for visits to the hospital, where she frequently informed care-givers of her desire to be discharged and returned to her home as quickly as possible.
After growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, Martha attended Newport High School, where she fell in love with William G. Witmer, a star lineman on the football team, whom she married and with whom she shared over five decades of her life until his passing in 2004. She was also pre-deceased by their oldest child, their son Dean Anthony Witmer, who died tragically in a plane crash in 1989. Surviving are three daughters: Teresa Kossayian of San Jose, CA, Anita Witmer and her husband William Roman of Newport, and Tina House of Newport; five grandchildren: Robert Kossayian and his wife Victoria (Wong) of San Jose, CA, Renee (House) Harris and her husband Eric of Liverpool, PA, and Luke, Jake, and Nick Roman of Newport; and five great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Morales Kossayian, Samantha and Michele Kossayian, and Chase and Ethan Harris. She is also survived by her brother John Kapp of Newport, whom John Kapp, Jr. kindly brought to visit Martha in her home on the afternoon of her passing.
For many decades, Martha sold newspapers, magazines, penny candy, soda, and other sundries from the store portion of her home located on the southeast corner of the square in Newport, where she resided since 1961. She also provided babysitting services for her grandchildren and other young children in Newport. She enjoyed reading, working on jigsaw puzzles, crocheting, gardening, and having meals and spending time with her children and their families. Martha was a member of Hope Eternal United Methodist Church in Newport.
A service will be held at the Hunters Valley Messiah Church on Saturday, August 24 at 11 AM. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/).