Peter Joseph Witker

Peter "Pete" Witker, age 86 of Toledo, Ohio passed away on May 20, 2026 at Ebeid Hospice in Sylvania, Ohio after a recent diagnosis of cancer. He was born September 4, 1939 in Toledo, Ohio of Clarence and Elizabeth Witker. He married the love of his life, Carolyn Bender, on August 8, 1964. They enjoyed almost sixty years of marriage.

He attended St. Agnes, Central Catholic High School, and graduated from the University of Toledo in Accounting after serving in the United States Army. He graduated from the University of Toledo in 1966, and began his career at Libbey Glass, and then Owens-Illinois in various roles which allowed him to travel all over the world. He retired from Owens-Illinois in 1989 and then became the Director of Internal Audit at Eastern Michigan University where he retired in 1995. Pete and Carolyn enjoyed twenty years of retirement together on Big Wolf Lake, Grass Lake, Michigan. A home they built in 2003, the same location he and his family enjoyed since 1950.

He was a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Toledo Chapter, Board of Governors, Association of College and University Auditors, National Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and member of the United States Power Squadron.

One of Pete's favorite titles was "Papa Ledo," a nickname given by his grand darlings when they were young and he lived in Toledo. He spent countless hours with them working on projects at the workbench, playing in the basement, riding bikes in their makeshift car wash, taking walks, and spending lots of time at the lake. He not only loved his time with the girls, but also their husbands, the "grand hunks", and sharing "war stories". Pete loved to share stories! Soon the great-grand darlings started to arrive and the fun continued. The great grand's affectionately gave him the nickname, "Pete," and they love going to "Pete's Lake."

One of his favorite pastimes was singing barbershop music. He sang with several quartets and barbershop choruses over the years. He liked to think of himself as a bass singer, but they were in desperate need of baritones so that he became, much to Carolyn's disappointment when he would sing baritone around the house. He sang with the quartet, "The Toledo Music Company" and most recently the "Racket Squad". They were most proud of the sunshine jobs they did in hospital rooms, nursing homes, impromptu songs at restaurants or pretty much wherever they were and someone was willing to listen. He was also a member of The Johnny Appleseed Barbershop Chorus (JABS). He and Carolyn took several JABS trips, allowing him to perform around the world singing barbershop music. He would always make it clear, they were not competitive, but they had fun! Pete was also a member of the Grass Lake, Michigan American Legion Post 252 where he was Chaplain.

Pete is survived by his darlings Stephen Witker, Elizabeth (Brian) Reynolds, grand darlings Rebecca (AJ) Haas, Rachel (Tyler) Jones, Kendall (Anthony) Blair and Colleen (Brady) Mullholand, great-grand darlings Hudson, Brooks, and Brielle Haas; Lyle and Landen Jones; Halle and Zach Blair; and Bryer Mullholand; his sisters Judith Witker, Cathie Witker and Annie (Rick) Hartley. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Patricia Sams, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, nephews and very dear friends. Pete loved his furry family members, affectionately known as his grand kittens and grand puppies.

He was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn in 2024, his parents, his in-laws, Edward and Alma Bender, his sister Jessica and brother-in-law Terence Leen, and brother-in-law Carl Jaffee.

Peter made the decision to donate his body to the University of Toledo Medical College. Visitation will be on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 4-8 pm at Walker Funeral Home 5155 W. Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43623; with a quartet performance at 7pm. Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 11am at Little Flower Church 5522 Dorr St, Toledo, OH 43615 with visitation one hour prior to mass.

Memorials may be made to The Voices of Harmony NWO Chapter PO Box 1201, Bowling Green, OH 43402 or American Legion Anthony Steble Post 252, 132 W Michigan Ave, Grass Lake, MI 49240.