Norman R. Wittenauer

Poland - Norman R. Wittenauer, 86, of Poland, died Thursday morning, August 11, 2016 at Sunrise of Poland.

Norman was born February 18, 1930 in Youngstown, a son of the late Lawrence and Fanny Winter Wittenauer.

Raised in Youngstown, Norman was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson, class of 1948. In 1952 he graduated with a Bachelor degree in Pharmacy from the Ohio State University. Before leaving for the United States Army and the Korean Conflict where he was a medic, Norm married Lou Ann Reeder on December 27, 1952.

Returning from the war, Norman and Lou Ann acquired the McPhee's Pharmacy in Struthers in 1956 and renamed it Wittenauer Drug. Two years later they rebuilt Wittenauer Drug at the corner of Sexton Street and Poland Ave. This location included a traditional soda fountain giving the community of Struthers a place to enjoy cold drinks and snacks. In 1962 they opened their 2nd pharmacy at the corner of 6th and Midlothian Blvd.At this location they introduced the drive through window to pick up prescriptions. Three years later, in 1965, they decided to relocate the Midlothian Blvd store to the community of Poland in the former post office at 122 S. Main Street. One year later the bakery adjacent to their store closed and Norman and Lou Ann decided to expand into the available spaces, including a gift shop. In 1978 they sold the store in Struthers and reopened in Boardman at the former Wilburs's Florist. Nine years later the decision was made to close the Boardman store leaving Wittenauer Pharmacy and Gift Shop in Poland the last remaining store. Norm retired in 1994 and spent his time residing in Poland and Naples FL. The building remained under the ownership of the Wittenauer family and in 2011 it became the home of The Cafe at Wittenauer's and The Gallery at Wittenauer's.

Norman was a member of the Poland United Methodist Church. He was past president of Struthers Rotary and a member of Boardman Rotary Clubs and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of the board of directors of the Boardman Civic Association, a member of the Men's Garden Club of Youngstown, Poland Bridge Club, and Naples Sailing and Yacht Club. Norman was also  a member of the Ohio Pharmaceutical Association.

Lou Ann died on January 20, 1985. Norman remarried Ann Seman Petro on January 4, 1986 and she died on December 29, 2012; Norm leaves two sons, Kenneth (Russ Leciejewski) Wittenauer of Charlotte, NC and Douglas (Terry) Wittenauer of Poland; one step-daughter, Carol Batyske of Poland; one sister, Martha Fosdick of San Antonio, TX; eight grandchildren, David (Stephanie) Day, Jessica (AJ) Minotti, Michael and Ryan Wittenauer, Kurt Wittenauer, Justine (Travis) Welsh, Mick (Rana) Batyske and Brenda Batyske; and three great-grandchildren.

Norman was also preceded in death by his step-daughter, Michelle Petro and his brother Charles Wittenauer.

A private family gathering will be held at a later date.

Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 70 W. Streetsboro St., Suite 201, Hudson, OH 44236