Natalie M. (Smith) Witmer

Natalie M. Witmer of Novi passed away July 23, 2024 at age 93. Born in Columbus Ohio, the daughter and only child of J. Raymond and Helen Smith. Loving mother of Dianne H Phillips, partner Kathleen A. Kowalski and proud grandmother of Donald A. Maxwell III, partner Kelsey Baruth, step-daughter Elizabeth Maxwell, step-grandmother of Joseph T. Sierzenga IV, and Jaimi E. Kenyon (Sean).

Natalie was a fine arts student at Miami University of Ohio where she met her first husband H. Richard Phillips. They married in 1951 and had four children, Dianne, Marcia, Paul and Peter. In 1966, Dick passed away a result of an auto accident. Finding herself as a single parent, “Tally” returned to college at Wayne State University and earned her Bachelors of Arts in Education and taught art at Walled Lake Junior High School. She met Keith M. Witmer at a church singles group via a friend and they married in 1972. They enjoyed time spent with family and friends at their second home up north on Lake Charlevoix and many travels aboard, including New Zealand/Australia and river cruises with friends in a variety of European countries. Keith passed away in
2020.

Natalie is survived by her cousin, Margie Roberts (Mike). Natalie is preceded in death by her first husband, H. Richard Phillips, her daughter Marcia R. Maxwell (Don Jr.), and
son’s Paul R. and Peter N. Phillips and her second husband Keith M. Witmer. 

A Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 11:30am until time of Service at 1:00pm at Nardin Park United Methodist Church,29887 W Eleven Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336. 

Donations in memory of Natalie may be directed to: Muscular Dystrophy Association, Community Living Centers, Nardin Park United Methodist Church.

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