O’Fallon mourns loss of Dan Witt — considered a kind, thoughtful, civic-minded alderman

Known as a “straight shooter,” Danny Carlton Witt’s warm smile, readiness to listen and learn, and kind, caring nature made him well-suited to be a conscientious and committed public servant.

Witt’s tragic death Sunday, June 12 — after a horrific weed-cutting accident three days earlier — has sent a shock wave through a community he had called home for 45 years.

Witt, 67, who was re-elected to a second term as an alderman representing Ward 7 in O’Fallon last year, is fondly remembered as a devoted family man and helpful civic-minded volunteer who donated countless hours to local organizations.

“The City of O’Fallon will truly miss Danny and his passion. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers,” said an official press release.

Witt and his wife of 45 years, Janet, nee Ponder, moved to O’Fallon in 1977. They raised a son, Jeff Witt, now of Beckemeyer, and a daughter, Melanie Nesbit, who lives in Shiloh.

To his fellow aldermen still reeling from the recent loss of their colleague Kevin Hagarty, this is another stunner. Hagarty, 54, who had represented Ward 3 since 2011, died from natural causes March 30.

Mayor Herb Roach noted their leadership and expertise.

“They were both very good people and very dedicated to the citizens of O’Fallon, and worked tirelessly to help others. They were big supporters of the city and so many other things. Dan and Kevin both enjoyed spending time on the golf course and at community events. Both of them were instrumental in City Fest — they were involved before in the homecoming and then with the new event,” Roach said.

“It is not often you find people who will honor their values, be open to listening to others and put in the time to help this community — and those living in it — be better.”

Witt was mowing his lawn with a tractor Thursday, June 9, when he fell off, badly injuring his right leg. He was taken by ambulance to St. Elizabeth’s in O’Fallon then airlifted by emergency medical transport helicopter to Saint Louis University Hospital. Doctors amputated his lower leg from the knee down, according to the family.

They performed several surgeries on his chest and described some spine and spleen injuries. Internal bleeding became an issue. He died at 4:18 p.m. Sunday, June 12.

“He had lost so much blood that over the next couple of days all of his organs failed,” said his son, Jeff Witt, to the BND on Sunday.

Jeff Witt thanked people for “their overwhelming support and love shown to our family over the last few days,” he wrote on Facebook on Sunday. We are heartbroken ... He fought with all he had right to the end. He was the best Husband, Dad, Papa, brother, and friend any of us could have asked for. We love him with all of our hearts, and he has left a huge hole that will never be filled. Thank you for being unapologetically who you were, Dad, we all love you so much.”

Alderman Nathan Parchman, who was elected in 2019 to a four-year term representing Ward 7, said he appreciated Witt’s help, for the elder statesman had taken his new colleague under his wing.

“We held community meetings together where he mentored me on topics I wasn’t up to speed with yet, while always asking what else he could do. Dan was very open-minded and wanted to do what he felt was best for the city and all the citizens,” Parchman said.

“On a personal note, he invited myself and my two girls over to fish in his pond last year where we really connected personally. He was kind-hearted and, overall, a great guy. He will be greatly missed by this whole community.”

Mayor was close with Witt

Roach had known Witt for many years, considered him a friend. He ordered the flags at all city facilities to be flown at half-mast.

Roach spoke of Witt’s love for the outdoors. He was an avid golfer and deer hunter.

And how much his family meant to him. He enjoyed attending his granddaughters’ sporting events and traveling with his wife, he said.

“I will always remember the little smile that he had,” the mayor said.

Janet Witt babysat three of Todd and Jackie Roach’s children twice a week.

Remarks from alderman, O’Fallon PD responds

Todd Roach, an alderman who represents Ward 4, said his family had been friends for a long time.

“Our entire family was devastated to hear of the news of Danny’s accident. We have known Danny and his wife, Janet, for many years. Danny was always there when you needed him, so generous with his time. Things won’t be the same without him on the council, with the community events he volunteered at, or even just stopping in to visit. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Janet and the entire Witt family,” he said.

Witt was chairman of the council’s public works committee and on the public safety committee.

The O’Fallon Police Department posted condolences on Facebook.

“We will miss you Dan. You have always supported us, and we are grateful for your service to our community. We are lucky to have had you call O’Fallon home,” a spokesperson said.

‘Genuinely good guy’

Alderman Ross Rosenberg, who was elected at the same time Witt was, served on the public safety committee with him.

“Dan truly cared about O’Fallon and, more importantly, the people he represented. He will definitely be missed by all. He was just a genuinely good guy,” Rosenberg said.

Witt had posted this statement on serving O’Fallon as an alderman on the city website: “Dan believes that as a Council Member his duty is to listen and work with the citizens. He wants to serve Ward 7 and make O’Fallon a city where everyone wants to live.”

More about Danny Witt

Born Jan. 19, 1955, in East St. Louis, his parents, Edward and Floy, nee Cathers, had three other sons and three daughters. Witt was a U.S. Army Infantryman who served from 1975 to 1981.

Witt earned a bachelor’s degree in public health. He had worked as a pathologist’s assistant at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for nearly 43 years. After retirement in 2018, he became a deputy coroner in St. Clair County.

He served on the board of directors of the O’Fallon Boosters Club.

Ronald Bright, president of the O’Fallon Boosters Club, said he and Witt were close friends for 30 years, often traveling together to Cardinals spring training in Jupiter, Florida, and to a Cubs vs. Cardinals game at Wrigley Field.

“Danny and I ran the Maifest for 20 years,” Bright said, referring to the May community gathering tradition that is no longer held.

Always willing to help

After he was elected, Witt would tend to constituents during his time away.

“We’d be at spring training, and he’d work on stuff. He’d hear from a resident, and take care of complaints. He did that a lot,” he said. “He was just a great guy. He was always ready to help, he was willing to go the extra mile and do what was needed to get done.”

“I’m going to miss him a lot. He was a lot of fun to be around,” Bright said.

Witt also contributed in other ways for the community betterment, his family said, and was a member of Fraternal Order of Police Metro East Lodge 262, Swansea Moose Lodge 1221, and American Legion Post 137.

Funeral plans, obituary

Funeral arrangements were announced Monday, June 13. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O’Fallon. Doors will open at 3 p.m.

The funeral will take place at 11 a.m., Monday, June 20, at the O’Fallon First Baptist Church, 1111 E. Highway 50, O’Fallon, with visitation one hour prior.

Memorial donations are suggested to a fund to support his grandchildren’s education (payable to Jeff Witt).

His obituary can be found at: https://www.wfh-ofallon.com/obituary/danny-witt.

People can share memories or sign an online guestbook.

This story was originally published June 14, 2022 at 12:49 PM.