South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Ind.), Fri., May 6, 1921, p. 1:
"Edwin C. Witwer Dead; ill for more than a year
-Well Known Man is Victim of Bright's Disease
-In City Four Decades
-Associated with Studebaker Corporation as Purchasing Agent Until Sickness Finally Forces Him to Resign
Edwin C. Witwer, 55 years old, prominent business man of the city and purchasing agent for the Studebaker corporation for a number of years, died Thursday afternoon at 3:20 o'clock at the family home at 1014 South Michigan street. Mr. Witwer had been in ill health for more than a year spending much of that time in travel and in consultation with noted specialists in the hope of relieving his condition. About a month ago he spent two months in California and on his return left immediately for Tate Springs, Tenn., in an effort to regain his health. His symptoms, however, became even more aggravated and he left a few weeks ago without benefit from the trip. His illness was not considered critical until 10 days ago when Dr. William Quine, of Chicago, was called into consultation with local physicians and with the development of Brights disease a few days ago pronounced the case as hopeless.

The heavy responsibilities incident to Mr. Witwer's important position with the Studebaker corporation especially during the coal and steel strikes and his tireless life work to attain success and serve well are given by attending physicians as the real cause of his death in the prime of his career.

WAS ACTIVE IN CHURCH
In addition to his active business affiliations Mr. Witwer was a member of the Studebaker club and had served as its president, was a member of the South Bend country club, the Indiana club and the Chamber of Commerce and had served on the board of directors of the Boys' department of the Y.M.C.A. Since he had joined the First M. E. church in 1909, Mr. Witwer had been deeply involved in its affairs and was a member of the official board of stewards at the time of his death. He was also a member of the building committee which directed the work of erecting the present edifice.

Mr. Witwer was born in LaPorte county, Indiana, Feb. 1 1866, and came to this city from Missouri 40 years ago. He entered the employ of the Studebaker Brothers manufacturing company as a boy of 14 years and had been associated with the Studebaker interests ever since that time with the exception of two years, 1882 and 1883, spent in study at the University of Notre Dame. On leaving the university he spent four years in the factor learning the trade of a coach body maker and gained a thorough knowledge of the business. He was promoted rapidly finally becoming assistant purchasing agent which position he held for 12 years and until his appointment as purchasing agent about 10 years ago. He had given the Studebaker Brothers manufacturing company and the Studebaker corporation 39 continuous years of service.

Surviving Mr. Witwer are his wife, Rose Stover Witwer, to whom he was married in this city June 18, 1889; one daughter, Sarah C. Witwer; one son, Edwin C. Witwer, jr.; and six brothers and sisters, George M. Witwer and Mrs. Joseph Kopcsay both of this city; T. W. Witwer and Mrs. J. M. Mohler , both of Joliet, Ill.; Frank Witwer, of Kansas City, Mo.; and H. E. Witwer, of Greeley, Colo.

FUNERAL TO BE HELD MONDAY
Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence, Rev. Henry L. David D. D. of Greencastle, Ind., and Rev. Albert E. Monger, pastor of the First M. E. church, officiating. Burial will be in Riverview cemetery. The pallbearers, all men who have been closely associated with Mr. Witwer in his business life will be H. V. Kimmble; George A. Fulmer, H. C. Hines, J. C. Bowsher, and T. H. Bulla, all of this city, and John Deacon, of Racine, Wis."

Cemetery records indicate he died of pancreatic cancer.