Joa Lee Wittebort, age 76 of Elwood, died on Sunday, June 15, 2014 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis after a brief illness. She was born on June 18, 1937 in Elwood, the daughter of Albert L. and Annabelle (Tucker) Wilhelm. She retired in 1993 after working 22 years in production at Delco Electronics in Kokomo. Joa was a 1955 graduate of Wendell L. Willkie High School and later married Larry G. Wittebort on October 11, 1956. She was a member of the United Auto Workers union local #293 and was also formerly active in the Elwood Eagles Lodge. She enjoyed crocheting, working on cryptograms, and spending time with her family.

Joa's family includes her loving husband of more than 57 years, Larry G. Wittebort of Elwood; 2 sons, Michael A. (wife Tammy) Wittebort of Leisure, and Larry G. Wittebort, Jr. of Elwood; brother, Phillip (wife Leslie) Wilhelm of Elwood; 2 granddaughters, April Hueing and Annabelle Edwards; 2 great-grandchildren, Amelia Hueing and Finigan Hueing; sister-in-law, Donna (husband Bill) Leavell of Elwood; her beloved dog, "Salsa"; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Jeffrey Wittebort who died in 2012; brother-in-law, Jerry Wittebort who just died June 13, 2014; and her beloved dog, "Maggie".

A funeral service celebrating Joa Lee's life will take place at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Pastor Jeff Haill of Solid Rock Ministries officiating. Burial will take place in the Elwood City Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to the Wittebort family at: www.copherfeslermay.com.