Doris Elen DeWitt

Doris Elen (Holdeman) DeWitt died 11 days short of her 100th birthday. She believed in curiosity and conversation. She loved giving advice. She wrote letters. While the facts of her life could be sad – her husband and three daughters died far too young – she found the will to rewrite that narrative. She was intensely pragmatic, so much so that she wrote her own obituary. It is fitting that she would have the last word:

Doris Holdeman DeWitt passed away on March 5, 2025 at Pine Ridge Nursing Home, Stevensville. She was born in Elkhart, Indiana on March 16, 1925 to Manford and Julia (Wylie) Holdeman.

“Do” graduated from Elkhart High School and earned two degrees from Western Michigan University and Michigan State University. She married her college sweetheart, James DeWitt, in 1948 who passed away shortly after retiring in 1980.

Doris spent her time raising her children and returned to teaching after they entered school. She taught English at Benton Harbor High School for 25 years, often remarking that those were the most rewarding years of her life. She retired from teaching in 1984. She was proud that she had traveled across the United States using of a pedometer and that she had purchased and maintained her properties on her own. Her favorite pastimes included reading, exercising, playing bridge and conversing with friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings: James “Bill” Holdeman of Elkhart, IN, Betty (William) Swyers of Richmond, VA, and Dr. Richard “Dick” (Susan) Holdeman of Mukilteo, WA.

Tragically, she was also preceded in death by her three daughters: Dawn Fowler of Grand Rapids, Gail (Dr. Philip) Ades of Burlington, VT, and Dian DeWitt of Stevensville.

She is survived by her son-in-law, Wayne Fowler; five grandchildren: Tera (Trent Bartman) Fowler and Nanda (Pete Damiano) Fowler of Grand Rapids, Rebecca (Quang Ton) Ades and their children, River and Mylo, of Brooklyn, NY, James Ades of San Diego, CA, and Anika (Danny Vargo) Ades of Portland, OR; and many nieces and nephews and their children.

Doris was a board member of the YWCA, the Lincoln Township Senior Center and a past president of the Berrien County Retired Teachers Association.

It was her wish that there be no funeral or memorial service. She wished to be remembered for her kindness and good deeds.

Arrangements are entrusted to Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, The Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman. Online condolences accepted at www.PikeFH.com.