Dennis and Mary Jane (Nunley) Wittnebert – Calhoun High School Class of 1957

After graduation from Durham Business College I went to work for King Fisher Marine Service Inc. and worked there for 40 years. I retired from there as Human Resources Director. I loved working for the Fishers and became very fond of them as well as many people who worked for this company. We became like Family, and it was a GOOD thing.

I married Donald Lynch and we were married for 38 years. He also worked as Yard Superintendent for KFMS. He passed away in 1996 after a 6-year struggle with Cancer. We had a wonderful life together, working together and playing together. It was such a blessing to both of us to be working together.

We had one daughter, Tracy Lynn, born in 1964. We also had a son, Brian Keith, born in 1975, who passed away that same year. Tracy blessed me with a grandson, Donald Quentin, and a granddaughter Lacey Rene. I am very proud of my grandchildren. They are truly an inspiration to me daily.

I have so many, many wonderful memories of High School. I attended Long Mott Elementary School for 8 years. When I started attending high school in Port Lavaca I was exposed to so many new friends. I came home from school every day, excited beyond words telling my Mom and Dad about my new friends. Because we did have a band at Long Mott, I was able to make the band in High School, and have great memories of band and all the band trips. I also remember having so much fun on our Senior Trip but at the same time being sad that we would not be together as a group again. That is why our Yearly Reunions are so important to me, and I try to do what I can to continue making that happen each year.

I married Dennis Wittnebert, Sr. in 2004. He had 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 23 ( and still counting) great-grandchildren. What a joy it has been to be a part of this amazing family. I love each of them, as if they were my own. My life has been enriched beyond measure from this man and his family. He is truly a man of God, making me (if you can believe it) a better person in every aspect of life.

After my retirement from KFMS, I traveled for several years. I really enjoyed every trip I took. I had a list of places I wanted to go and was fortunate enough to take every trip. When finished I told my daughter I had gone everywhere on my list, and she suggested I make a new list. But instead, I chose to spend my time at our home in Rio Frio on the Frio River. We love to go there and spend as much time as possible there. I have made friends of some of the people there, and enjoy so much going there. After traveling I found out quickly I was not ready to stay home. So I began a second career of volunteering. I took Hospice training and volunteered with Hospice as long as they had an office in Port Lavaca. When the Port Lavaca office closed, I started volunteering at Memorial Medical Center in Port Lavaca. That proved to be exactly what I needed. I am still there. I have held several offices for the Volunteers, including president for three terms. I also work with South Texas Blood & Tissue Center out of San Antonio, holding a monthly Blood Drive at MMC here in Port Lavaca. For the past several years we have collected enough blood to support our local hospital, something I am very proud of. I have attended all but one of our Class Reunions and am so thankful that we continue to have a reunion every year. It is always so good to see everyone each year, sad to know we have lost so many way too young. “BLESSINGS TO THE CLASS OF 1957. STAY STRONG UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.” (We are sad to report that Mary Jane’s husband, Dennis, passed away on January 29, 2020.)

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