John Witkop

John Jerome Witkop 72 of Traverse City, passed away Saturday March 11, 2023 at home surrounded by his loving wife and family.

He was born on September 20, 1950 in Traverse City the son of John J. and Louise (Courtade) Witkop.

John graduated from St. Francis Catholic High School in 1968. After high school he married his high school sweetheart on May 10, 1969. He worked with Ameel Distributing for 16 years, and retired after 25 years as a delivery driver with Pepsi.

He attended St. Francis Catholic Church and was a former member of the Traverse City Jaycees.

John was an avid hunter and golfer, was a great woodworker, and enjoyed baking sweets. He was a family man who would do anything for his loved ones.

John is survived by his wife Sally Ann (Stradinger) Witkop, married for 53 years in Traverse City; sons, Patrick (Leslie) Witkop of South Carolina and Joseph (Jennifer) Witkop of Interlochen; grandchildren, Hillary (Justin) Sagorski, Taylor, Nathan, Zachary (Jenna) Witkop, Taylor (Adam) Ziff, Alexandra and Skylar; great-grandchildren, Carter, Lucy, and Grayson; siblings, Jean Steffes, Mary (Leonard) Endres, Wilma (Art) Anderson, Barb Allard and Henry (Michelle) Witkop, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John J. and Louise Witkop.

For John’s love of animals, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Cherryland Humane Society.

An informal gathering with family and friends will be held from 3pm to 4pm on Friday, March 17, 2023 at Life Story Funeral Home.

A Celebration of John’s Life will take place at Jacob’s Farm this spring, exact date and time to be determined.

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