John Devert Witmyer, WWII Vet, formerly of Lancaster County, died Tuesday morning at his home in North Myrtle Beach at age 84.

Born in Manheim to Clayton and Ruth Witmyer, John lost his mother at a young age and grew up at Milton Hershey School for boys, where a brick in his honor affirms “this is where I learned hard work pays off.”

At age 17, he joined the Marines, fighting in WWII, and was injured in the battle for Iwo Jima. He graduated from Lancaster Business School and worked at Educators Mutual Life Insurance for 42 years. He also owned and operated Red Run Campground in the heart of the Amish Country.

He enjoyed living in Mount Gretna and Maine but, when he became ill, retired to the sunshine and nature of South Carolina’s low country.

John will be missed by his wife Florence, his children, Dr. Jeannine Witmyer of Warren, RI, Jan Mare’ and Gary Horst of Lititz, PA, Julianne and Dr. Bibhu Misra of Ashburn, VA, and the closest thing he had to a son, David Payonk and his wife Cindy of Macungie, PA, along with his grandchildren, Joshua and Sarah Horst and Sierra and Jahan Misra.

He is also survived by his sister, Ruth Fern Reinsmith of Tamaqua, PA, and a dozen or so nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Doris Rosenberg and Leila Rogers, and a brother, John Malcolm Witmyer. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 30th, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Cornwall, PA. In lieu of flowers, please send gifts to Cornwall United Methodist Church, P.O.Box 687, Cornwall, PA 17016 or to Pennsylvania Chautauqua, Mount Gretna, PA 17064.