Henry De Witt

It is with great sadness that the family of Henry (Hank) De Witt Sr. announce his passing on June 9, 2023 at the age of 92 following a brief illness. Hank was surrounded by his family as he entered the gates of Heaven. Hank was born on February 28, 1931, at San Antonio Hospital in Upland, California to William and Jennie De Witt. Hank had three siblings, Jake, Jennie and Ida. Hank grew up on Edison Avenue in Chino on one of the first dairies in the Chino Valley. The milk barn is still standing and today is recognized and protected as an historical site. Hank loved Chino, the Inland Valley and the Dutch community. Hank attended Chino schools. He was a member of the first class of Ontario Christian School which was held in a one room schoolhouse. Fifty years later Hank played a key role in relocating that one room schoolhouse to the Philadelphia Street Campus to commemorate the humble beginnings of Ontario Christian. Hank served his country for two years in the army during the Korean war. He was stationed at Fort Ord in Monterey, CA and Germany. After his discharge from the military, Hank met the love of his life, Shirley Zylstra, while attending a young people's function at Ontario Christian Reformed Church. On December 16, 1955, Hank and Shirley were the first couple to be married in the new church building on Philadelphia Street. Years later they were charter members of the First Christian Reformed Church of Chino. Upon his passing, Hank was a member of Crosspoint Christian Reformed Church, located directly across the street from the location where he grew up. Hank and Shirley were blessed with four children, Henry (Shirley) De Witt, Santee, CA; Marilyn (David) Oliver, Mount Vernon, WA; Bill (Chris) De Witt, Logan, IA; Sharon (Billy) Idsinga, Hanford, CA. Hank was a milk hauler for 38 years, driving for Valley Milk Transport and California Milk Producers. In 1960 Hank and Shirley built their house on Philadelphia Street and made that their home for 62 years. They had the same wonderful neighbors through most of those years and enjoyed all the folks who frequently stopped by to visit. Hank loved taking road trips with Shirley. They made numerous trips to see their children and grandchildren in places like Washington DC, Iowa, San Diego, Washington, Texas, the Central Valley of California and more. Hank enjoyed taking Shirley to Europe to explore their heritage as well as showing Shirley where he was stationed in Germany. Hank's love of Chino led him to serve on the Chino historical society where he earned the reputation of being a "walking history book". Over the years Hank served as a deacon at Chino CRC, on the transportation committee at Ontario Christian School as well as the Ontario Christian Historical Committee. Hank passes on a legacy of hard work, love for his family, love of Christian education and a deep compassion for those less fortunate. Hank is survived by his wife, four children, 13 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, sister Ida (Rogell) Van Wyk, and sister-in-law Ruth De Witt. Hank was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jake, sister Jennie and her husband Hans Ledri. In Memory of Henry De Witt Sr. please make donations to Ontario Christian School (Tuition Assistance) at 931 W. Philadelphia St., Ontario, Ca. 91762 Viewing will be held 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Tuesday, June 20th, 2023 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Funeral services will be held 12:00 PM Wednesday, June 21st, 2023 at Visalia Christian Reformed Church, 1030 S Linwood St, Visalia. Graveside services will be held 10:30 AM Wednesday, June 21st, 2023 at Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W Goshen Ave, Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Henry De Witt

February 28, 1931 - June 9, 2023