Kenneth Wittenberg

Kenneth Wittenberg, age 95, of Glen Ellyn, IL.

Kenneth (Ken) Wittenberg was a good, honest, and family-oriented man that worked three jobs to support his family.  He was friendly and courteous, and his social graces, etiquette and manners were second to none.  He was soft spoken, but his eloquence in communication engaged everyone around him, and his words commanded their attention.  He was poised, pragmatic and wise, and always knew the right thing to say at the right time.  His keen sense of humor would make you smile or laugh no matter how you were feeling in the moment. 

He was tough in mind and body, yet gentle and compassionate.  He had a heart of gold, and was a loving, caring, and devoted husband, and an even better father and grandfather.  He was loved and respected by everyone that knew him.  

Ken went on two spectacular safaris to Kenya and Tanzania, where he took more than 3,000 photographs of the wildlife, landscape and people.  Many of the memories have been preserved on framed pictures that were placed throughout the house.  Those photographs lead his wife (Jeanette) to paint many African wildlife pictures and write a children’s book about African wildlife, while Ken did all the illustrations for both her African paintings and book.  

Ken was a true outdoorsman and sportsman and an excellent athlete in several sports, but he was also a creative entrepreneur, and a tremendous artist, calligrapher and photographer.  He was truly a very talented individual with an unusual combination of skills and talents.  He was most certainly outgoing and adventurous, but he loved sitting on a boat in solitude on a remote lake, with a fishing pole in hand.  He was happiest when he was fishing with his boys, traveling with his wife and family, or resting on a chair with his dog sitting on his lap.  

Ken was the best father and grandfather a child or grandchild could ever have.  He truly had a positive influence on every person’s life that he touched.    

Ken is survived by his sister-in-law (Elizabeth Goschinski), his son (Kenneth Wittenberg), his daughter-in-law (Barbara Wittenberg), his daughter-in-law (Mary Barbara Wittenberg), and his grandchildren (Kenneth Wittenberg, Jennifer Wittenberg, and Michael Wittenberg; and Monique Balgowan, Stephanie Walsh, Corey Wittenberg, Matthew Wittenberg, Anthony Wittenberg, Felicity Wittenberg, Therese Wittenberg, and Michael Wittenberg), and his great-grandchildren (Oliver Balgowan, Lachlan Balgowan, Charlotte Balgowan, Caitlin Walsh, and Jack Walsh).  He was preceded in death by his wife (Jeanette Wittenberg) and his sons (Corey Wittenberg and Keith Wittenberg).

There will be a funeral service on Thursday, October 12, at 10:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn, located at 550 N. Main Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137.  

Interment will be private. 

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Ken, please donate to Alzheimer’s Association, https://www.alz.org/ or mail to Alzeheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601

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