Michael Witt’s family was planning to put an addition on their Oak Lawn house, so he could receive the medical support he needed at home.
Instead, family and friends bid farewell to the former Illinois state trooper, who became a quadriplegic and was staying at a rehabilitation hospital in Chicago when he died March 27.
Mr. Witt and his wife, Megan, who teaches at Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn, are members of St. Linus Parish and the parents of a 16-year-old son and twin daughters, age 12.
During his 25-year career with the state police, Mr. Witt rose to the rank of major and the position of Northern Illinois investigative commander. But he was paralyzed from the neck down after a diving accident in August 2020, while he was off-duty, his father, Michael Witt, said.
Though he could not move, Mr. Witt’s brain remained sharp and he continued to be a thoughtful and caring son and father, the elder Witt said.
He recalled how his Mike insisted his wife call him one day this winter. He had seen on the news that it was going to snow and wanted to tell his father not to go out and shovel, so he would not injure himself.
Mr. Witt was the youngest of Michael and Lorelei Witt’s nine children.
“He was the most responsible of all my kids. This boy was sensible, reasonable and thought things out,” the older Witt said.
He also was active in the community, volunteering with Oak Lawn Baseball & Softball and the St. Jude Hockey Club.
Mike would be the first person to help others in need, family members said.
“His biggest joy in life was spending time with his children and cheering them on in their sports and activities,” his obituary reads.
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Mr. Witt’s family and friends were planning a fundraiser May 7 at the 115 Bourbon Street entertainment venue in Merrionette Park to help pay for his medical expenses, equipment, physical therapy and ongoing nursing care.
That fundraiser called, A Mission for Mike, will proceed, but has been renamed A Tribute to Mike, with money raised going to pay the family’s outstanding medical bills and to benefit his children.
Donations of merchandise, gift cards and tickets are being accepted as prizes for raffles that will be held at the event. Raffle tickets also are being sold for a 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer.
To buy tickets to the tribute, which will include live music, food and beverages. For more information, email to [email protected] or go to a-mission-for-mike.eventbrite.com.
Mr. Witt was born in Evergreen Park and graduated from Richards High School and Western Illinois University with a degree in law enforcement.
In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by his children Thomas, Abigail and Lucy; his brothers and sisters, Michelle Moore, Deborah (Tom) Morowczynski, Marjorie (Andrew) Sullivan, James Witt, Patrick Witt, Kathryn Witt, Timothy Witt and Jennifer (James) Zielke; 23 nieces and nephews; and nine great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at Blake and Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd St., Oak Lawn.
A Mass of Christian burial will begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Linus Catholic Church, 10300 S. Lawler, Oak Lawn. Interment will immediately follow at St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery in Chicago.
Kimberly Fornek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.