Indiana, U.S., Birth Certificate, 1907-1944
Name: Elmer Carl Frederick Witte - Gender: Male
Birth Date: 22 Nov 1914 - Birth Place: Warren (Twp), Marion County, Indiana, USA
Father: Herbert C. Witte - Mother: Clara Cook - Certificate Number: 39709
CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH
Full Name of Child: Elmer Carl Frederick Witte - County of Marion - Township of Warren - State of Indiana - Certificate Number: 39709 - Sex: M - Date of Birth: Nov. 22, 1914 @ 5:00 a.m. - Father Full Name: Herbert C. Witte - Residence: Warren Township - Race: W - Age at Last Birthday: 26 - Birthplace: Marion County - Occupation: Farmer - Full Maiden Name of Mother: Clara Cook - Residence: Marion County - Race: White - Age at Last Birthday: 23 - Birthplace: Marion County - Occupation: Housewife - Number of Children born to this Mother: One - Number of Children now Living: One - Physician: J. Young, M.D. - Address: Cumberland.

1920 U.S. Federal Census - Warren Township, Marion County, Indiana, USA
Residence: German Church Road, south of Washington Street and north of Prospect Street
Household:
Herbert Witte (31) - Herbert owned a farm on German Church Road, south of Washington Street and north of Prospect Street.
Clara C Witte (28)
Elmer C F Witte (5)
Mildred L Witte (3)

1930 U.S. Federal Census - Warren Township, Marion County, Indiana, USA
Residence: German Church Road, south of Washington Street and north of Prospect Street
Household:
Herbert Witte (41) - Farmer
Clara Witte (39)
Elmer Witte (15) - Attended School: Yes - Able to Read and Write: Yes
Mildred Witte (13)
Opal Witte (6)
Byron Witte (4)
Gladys Witte (2)

Elmer Carl Frederick Witte attended St. John Evangelical and Reformed Church at the corner of German Church Road and Washington Street with his parents. His great-great grandfather, Friederich Witte was a founding member of this old church.

1st WIFE: Janet Ruth Luyster

Web: Marion County, Indiana, Marriage Index, 1925-2012
Name: Elmer (Carl Frederick) Witte - Gender: Male - Spouse: Janet Luyster
Marriage Date: 25 Dec 1936 - Marriage Place: Marion, Indiana, USA.
The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, Indiana, 26 Dec 1936, Sat. Page 13 "MARRIAGE LICENSES: Elmer C. F. Witte, Janet R. Luyster"
The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana) 29 Dec 1936, Tue. Page 19 "MARRIAGE LICENSES: Elmer Witte, 22 .... R. R. 10, Box 196 and Janet Luyster, 19 .... R. R. 10, Box 122"

BIRTH OF SON: RALPH EDWARD WITTE
Indiana, U.S. Birth Certificates, 1907-1944
Name: Elmer Witte (Elmer Carl Frederick Witte) - Gender: Male
Spouse: Janet Luyster - CHILD: RALPH EDWARD WITTE born 18 Nov 1937 at St. Vincent Hospital @ 11:35 a.m., Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA.

2nd WIFE: Elnora Rosella Westbay

Web: Marion County, Indiana, Marriage Index, 1925-2012
Name: Elmer Witte - Gender: Male - Spouse: Elnora Westbay
Marriage Date: 18 Apr 1940 - Marriage Place: Marion, Indiana, USA
The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, Indiana) 19 Apr 1940, Fri. Page 31 "DAILY VITAL STATISTICS - MARRIAGE LICENSES - Elmer Carl Frederick Witte, Elnora Rosella Westbay."

The Daily Reporter (Greenfield, Indiana) 24 Apr 1940, Wed. Page 1

MARRIAGES AT NEW PALESTINE

On Thursday of last week Rev. Ruben J. Bierbaum, pastor of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed church at New Palestine, officiated at the marriage of Elmer C. F. Witte and Miss Elenora Westbay. The marriage was solemnized in the church parsonage."

1940 U.S. Federal Census - Indianapolis (Center Twp), Marion, Indiana, USA
Residence: East Saint Joseph Street - Rented house@ $24.00
Household:
Elmer Witte (25) - Respondent: Yes - Occupation: Florist Shop - Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Eleanor Witte (22)
Mary Glason (22) - Lodger

Elnora and Elmer Witte were divorced after a very short marriage. There were no children to this union.

U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
Name: Elmer C. F. Witte - Gender: Male - Race: White - Age: 25
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 22 Nov 1914 - Birth Place: Indianapolis, Indiana
Residence Place: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA - Registration Date: 7 Nov 1940 - Registration Place: Indiana, USA
Employer: Red Cab
Description: Weight: 210 lbs. - Eye Color: Blue - Hair Color: Blonde - Height: 6'
Next of Kin: Herbert C. Witte, father
REGISTRATION CARD - Name: Elmer C. F. Witte - Address: R.R. #10, Box 196, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana - Place of Birth: Same - Date of Birth: Nov. 22, 1914 - Name of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mr. Herbert C. Witte, father - Address of That Person: R. R. #10, Box 196, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana - Employer's Name: Red Cab - Place of Employment: 739 East Market, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana - Signed: Elmer C. F. Witte - REGISTAR'S REPORT - Race: White - Height: 6' - Weight: 210 lbs. - Eyes: Blue - Hair: Blonde - Complexion: Fair - Date of Registration: Nov. 7, 1940.

The Indpls Star 27 Dec 1940, Fri P3 "Two persons were injured yesterday when two taxicabs operated by the same company collided at New Jersey and Ohio streets. .. They were sent to the Methodist Hospital for treatment. The ... were riding in a taxi driven by Elmer Witte, 26, 328 East Washington Street .."

U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: Elmer C. Witte - Race: White - Marital Status: Married
Birth Year: 1914 - Nativity State: Indiana - Citizenship: Citizen - Residence: Marion (County), Indiana - Education: 4 years of high school - Civil Occupation: Farm hand, general farms
Enlistment Date: 17 Jan 1941 - Enlistment Place: Indianapolis, Indiana - Branch: Infantry - Component: National Guard - Rank: Corporal - Source: National Guard - Height: 72 - Weight: 210

3rd WIFE: Jessie May Lewis - Married June 28, 1941 - Source: Marriage date is on the headstone of Elmer Carl Frederick Witte at Saint John United Church of Christ, Cumberland, Marion, Indiana, USA, corner of German Church Road and Washington Street.

BIRTH OF DAUGHTER: EVA ESTELLA CHRISTINE WITTE
Indiana, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1907-1944 - Name: Eva Estella Christine Witte - Birth: 30 Apr 1942 - Birth Place: Reserve, Parke, Indiana, USA @ 6:15 a.m. - Father: Elmer F. Witte - Age: 27 - Usual Occupation: Soldier - Mother: Jessie Lewis - Age: 25 - Usual Occupation: Housewife.

1950 U.S. Federal Census - Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana, USA
Household:
Elmer C Witte (34) - Occupation: Traffic Guard in the Auto Racing Industry
Jessie M Witte (33)
Eva E Witte (8)
Edward A Lewis (64) [Widowed] - Father of Jessie M Witte

U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: Elmer C. F. Witte - Gender: Male - Spouse: Jessie Witte
Residence Year: 1955
Street Address: 1002 Cornell Avenue, Apt. #5
Residence Place: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Occupation: Driver for Red Cab
Publication Title: Indianapolis, Indiana, City Directory, 1955

DEATH OF MOTHER: MRS. CLARA WITTE

The Daily Reporter (Greenfield, Indiana) Tue. Page 6 "CLARA WITTE DIES NEAR CUMBERLAND - Mrs. Clara Witte, aged 70 years, of Route 10, Indianapolis, a lifelong resident of the Cumberland community, died early Tuesday morning in her home. Surviving are the husband, Herbert Witte; five children, Elmer Witte, of Danville; Mrs. Mildred Gregg, of Florida; Mrs. Opal Whiteside of Route 4, Greenfield; Byron Witte, of Royalton, Mrs. Gladys Bennett of Cumberland; several grandchildren; one brother, Walter Cook, of New Bethel. ..."

U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Name: Elmer Witte - Birth Date: 22 Nov 1914 - Issue Year: Before 1951 - Issue State: Indiana - Death Date: Sep 1964

Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011
Name: Elmer C. Witte - Gender: Male - Race: White - Age: 49 - Marital Status: Married Birth Date: 22 Nov 1914 - Birth Place: Indiana
Death Date: 18 Sep 1964 - Death Place: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA
Father: Herbert C. Witte - Mother Clara C. Cook - Spouse: Jessie Witte
CORONER'S CERTIFICATE OF DEATH
Name of Deceased: Elmer C. Witte - Date of Death: Sep 18, 1964 - Place of Death: Weir Cook Airport, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana - Cause of Death: Traumatic Decapitation - Ruling: Accident - Place of Injury: Airport, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana - Time of Death: 11:01 a.m. - Age at Death: 49Y 9M 26D - Description: Spectator at airfield thought plane engine was on fire, turned fire extinguisher loose and walked into prop in fog - Inquest Held - Burial: Sep 21, 1964 - Name of Cemetery: St. John - Location: Marion County, Indiana - Residence at time of Death: R.R.1, Box 106B, Danville, Indiana - Occupation at time of Death: Red Cab Driver
Date of Birth: Nov 22, 1914 - Place of Birth: Indiana, USA - Sex: Male - Race: White - Marital Status: Married - Father: Herbert C. Witte - Mother's Maiden Name: Clara Cook - Informant's Name: Mrs. Jessie Witte, wife - Informant's Address: R.R.1, Box 106B, Danville, Indiana.

The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana) Sat. Sep 19, 1964, Page 33
The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana) 20 Sep 1964, Sun. Page 46

DEATH NOTICE: "WITTE - Elmer C. F. Witte, age 49, R.R.1, Box 106B, Danville, Ind., husband of Jessie; father of Mrs. Christine Pettit and Ralph Edward Witte; son of Herbert C.; brother of Mrs. Mildred Gregg, Opal Whiteside, Gladys Bennett and Byron Witte, also survived by 1 granddaughter, passed away Friday. Funeral Monday 2:30 p.m., J. C. Wilson Chapel of the Chimes, 1234 Prospect St. Friends invited. Friends may call."

The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, Indiana) 19 Sep 1964, Sat. Page 7

"ELMER WITTE RITES MONDAY

Services for Elmer C. Witte, 48, Avon, killed yesterday when he accidentally walked into the whirling propeller of an airliner at Weir Cook Municipal Airport, will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the J.C. Wilson Funeral Home.

Witnesses said he began spraying foam on the engine and some of the chemical apparently got into his eyes. He suddenly stepped back and was struck by the spinning propeller of the left engine.

Witte, a volunteer fireman, also had been active in Civil Defense for more than 10 years. He had been a Red Cab driver since 1947.

Survivors include the widow, Jessie; a daughter, Christine Pettet, Indianapolis; a son, Ralph E. Witte, Indianapolis, the father, Herbert C. Witte, Cumberland; a brother Bryan (Byron) Witte, Brownsburg, and three sisters, Mildred Gregg, Maitland, Fla.; Opal Whiteside, Greenfield, and Gladys Bennett, Cumberland."

The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana) 30 Oct 1964, Fri. Page 22

"A BIG MAN - To the Editor of The Star

We would like to say a few words in favor of the late Elmer Witte, Red Cab driver who lost his life in the tragic accident at Weir Cook Airport.

"Woody" as he was affectionately called by the pupils he drove to our school was a big man. He was large in physical stature. His "bigness" could not be measured by the eye-you see it was in his heart and Woody was all heart. He had a great love for children and especially those who were handicapped in some way. Not many knew that he enjoyed the art of giving. Woody would stop his cab on the way home from school and treat his passengers to the ice cream goodies that the corner parlor had to offer. He never questioned where the money came from and he didn't care. He saw to it that these children were recognized and enjoyed their share of love from the outside.

Woody gave of his time and talents to the business of doing something for somebody else. He was never called upon as an after-dinner speaker nor to perform at public ceremonials, but in the eyes of these youngsters at our school; Woody was a big man.

In this age of automation where the push-button techniques seemingly can control or have effect on the personalities and the destinies of men, would it be possible to mark more buttons with "Woody." Woody will be sadly misses by the children in our Primary Special Education class here at our school.

GORDON HARKER, Principal
Flackville Public School
2930 Lafayette Road"