Emmagene R. Wittkamper, age 88 of Elwood, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at Riverview Health Hospital in Noblesville after a long, well-lived life. She was born on December 17, 1928 in Elwood, the daughter of Ursel E. and Marie K. (Wallace) Knotts. Emmagene worked as co-owner and bookkeeper of Loren's Service Center in Elwood for 41 years until 1995 when her husband passed, and then continued with the family business until retiring in 2001. She was a 1946 graduate of Wendell L. Willkie High School in Elwood. She married the love of her life, Loren R. Wittkamper, on January 16, 1949, and they shared over 46 years of marriage together. Emmagene currently attended the Windfall Christian Church and was a member of East Main Street Christian Church in Elwood. She was also a member of the Pipe Creek Home Economics club, Red Corner PTO, Frankton and Elwood Band Boosters, and Pipe Creek Fire Department Auxiliary. She formerly enjoyed singing, motorcycling with Loren, camping with her family, bonfires; and especially loved bird watching and looking for cardinals. Emmagene was devoted to caring for her family all of her life, and will be specially remembered for her fried chicken, "Mom" burgers, fried corn, and sweet tea. She was always known for having a smile on her face, and many lovingly referred to her as "Sweetheart". She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Emmagene's family legacy includes 7 children, Kevin (wife Kathi) Wittkamper of Elwood, Diana (husband Tom) Musick of Alexandria, Linda (husband Alan) Clark of Elwood, Paula (husband Brad) Kincaid of Elwood, Carol Wittkamper of Fishers, Melvin (wife Darlene) Wittkamper of Alexandria, and Darrell (wife Kim) Wittkamper of Elwood; 7 siblings, Bob (wife Darlene) Knotts of Frankton, Jerry Knotts of New Mexico, Junior (wife Nancy) Knotts of New Mexico, Rosella Smith of Lakeland, FL, Ramona Whisler of Elwood, Bonnie Ice of Elwood, and Rita Fullhart of Muncie; 13 grandchildren, Christopher Clark, Christy Mason, Misty Byrum, Dustin Musick, Jeremiah Kincaid, Andrew Wittkamper, Megan Welsh, Kyle Kincaid, David Wittkamper, Darren Wittkamper, Kyrsten Wood, Lauren Wittkamper, and Devin Wittkamper; 19 great-grandchildren, Taylor Clark, Keegan Stewart, Ian Clark, Kole Stewart, Evan Pierce, Abby Wittkamper, Mallory Welsh, Gilly Wittkamper, Macy Welsh, Maggie Wittkamper, Ryder Mason, Zoe Kincaid, Declan Wittkamper, Sam Wittkamper, Teagan Wittkamper, Olivia Kincaid, Jules Wittkamper, Gator Byrum, and Tremor Byrum; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Emmagene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Loren R. Wittkamper who died October 17, 1995; and grandson, Gregory L. Clark in 1983.

A funeral service celebrating Emmagene's life will be conducted at 11:00 am on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Carl Roudebush of the Windfall Christian Church officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park in Elwood. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 8 pm on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Samaritan's Purse Fund or the A.L.S. Research Fund (John Paul II Medical Research) through the funeral home. Online expressions of condolence may be made at copherfeslermay.com.