About This Memory Space
This page was created for Dana Joyce Witmer's family and friends as a place to remember them, to share stories, and to keep their memory close in everyday life.
It is cared for and added to over time by the people who knew them, and everyone is invited to contribute, whether that is a story, a photo, a few words, or a simple note.
Many families visit places like this not just once, but again and again, especially on quiet days or meaningful anniversaries. This page is here for those moments, wherever you are.
A place to return to when you want to feel close again, to remember a moment, or to leave a few words for others to read. Over time, it grows through the voices of everyone who knew and loved them.
Light a Candle Growing
Light a candle to honor Dana Joyce Witmer's memory. Each lighting keeps their memory burning bright for 23 hours.
Candle lit burns 23 hours. Come back and light it again after 23 hours to keep the memory burning.
Limited to 5 lightings per hour to prevent abuse.
Memory Wall Growing
Stories, photos, and memories shared by people who knew Dana Joyce Witmer. This is the heart of this space—a collection that grows as more people contribute.
No memories posted yet. Be the first to share a story or memory.
Life & Legacy
Dana Joyce Witmer crafted a life rich in purpose, blending her passion for education, community service, and the quiet delights of nature and family into a tapestry of enduring inspiration.
Born in Chicago as the eldest daughter of Melvin and Velma Day, Dana built a fulfilling path marked by academic achievement and heartfelt contributions. A graduate of Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing, Illinois, she advanced her studies at Butler University, securing both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Business Education and Marketing. Her days brimmed with simple pleasures—observing birds in flight, tending to potted blooms, relaxing on sandy shores, and nestling with beloved pets. She savored meals alongside close companions, rooted for her cherished sports squads, and immersed herself in the melodies of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, always finding profound contentment in these everyday treasures.
Dana poured 25 years into teaching at J. Everett Light Career Center of North Central High School, shaping young minds with dedication. For two decades, she mentored DECA, the student marketing group, steering participants toward national conferences and contests. Her influence rippled outward: in 1970, she joined Ardath's Army, a pioneering women's volunteer team that championed broadcasting Sesame Street and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood to central Indiana's youth. Later, with Assistance League, she equipped schoolchildren with fresh attire and comforted Riley Children's Hospital patients with teddy bears. Rooted in faith, she embraced St. Luke's United Methodist Church since 1978, lending her voice to the Chancel Choir for 25 years and cherishing international performance tours with fellow singers.
Photos of Dana's Life
Family & Loved Ones
Dana discovered her deepest fulfillment amid the chatter of grandchildren recounting their escapades, a ritual that lit up her world like nothing else. Her sons Jeff (Terri) Witmer and Craig (Debby) Witmer, along with daughter Jeanne Witmer (Lowell Davis), formed the inner circle she nurtured with unwavering tenderness. Grandchildren Johnathan Witmer, Zachary Witmer, Tyler Brooking, Haley Brooking, Cole Witmer, and Adelyn Witmer brought endless delight, while her sister Janet Meyers (Jim), cousins Doris (Charles) Leverett and Jim (Barbara) Dickinson, plus a wide array of nieces, nephews, and steadfast friends, wove a vibrant network of bonds she held dear. Preceded only by her parents, Melvin and Velma Day, Dana's home pulsed with the gentle rhythm of shared stories and affectionate gatherings.
Remembered by Friends & Family
Tributes from admirers capture Dana's essence as a beacon of kindness and quiet strength, underscoring her knack for uplifting others through service and song.
For those looking for service information