Melva Jean Mary DeWitt, 88 years, of Wever, Iowa died Thursday, March 23, 2023 at her home. She was born June 7, 1934, a daughter of August Deitrich and Myrtle (Steffensmeier) Menke. On October 23, 1954, she married Charles Arthur DeWitt at St. James Catholic Church, St. Paul, Iowa. He preceded her in death March 31, 2019.

She lived in the area most of her life. She was a 1952 graduate of St. James High School, St. Paul, Iowa. She was of the Catholic Faith. She was a homemaker, raising eight children, plus two adopted children: Dean, Alan, Lynette, Craig, Terri, Yvonne, Bryan, Diana, Stephanie and Susie. For nearly 40 years, she worked at the Wever Locker as a wrapper. She enjoyed ceramics, scrapbooking, gardening and she collected salt and pepper shakers and wind chimes. Most importantly, she made the BEST homemade applesauce on the planet. Her family was the most important to her; she made sure every family member played an instrument and she attended every musical or sports event.

She is survived by her children: Dean (Jody) DeWitt of Fort Madison; Lynette Stein of Williamsburg, Iowa; Craig DeWitt of Wever; Diana (Howard) Vorwaldt of Wever; two "adopted" daughters, Stephanie (Troy) Fisher of Arizona and Susan Sanford (Joe Naumann) of Fort Madison; sister-in-law, Mary Menke; son-in-law, Mark Ebert; 17 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; one great great grandson and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons, Bryan and Alan DeWitt, two daughters, Yvonne Metcalf and Terri Wilson, two sisters: Marlene Wyatt and Karen Schmidt, one brother, Floyd Menke, three grandchildren: Justin DeWitt, Samuel Metcalf, Devin Royer and one great grandson, Dylan Pugliese.

Visitation will be held 5:00 to 6:30 pm Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison. Her Funeral Service will be held 12:00 pm Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at the Barr Memorial Chapel with Jason DeWitt officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Fort Madison. A memorial has been established for the Wever Fire Department and IOOF, contributions may be left at Barr Memorial Chapel.