Wittman Private pilots James and Susan with passenger KaiLi fell victim to a plane crash in Toledo, Ohio, Sunday afternoon, May 11. They and family had been attending Amy Choukourian's wedding in Southfield, Michigan the preceding day. James Lawrence Wittman was born on April 17, 1944 in Minneapolis, MN. He graduated from De La Salle High School in 1962, attended St. John's University and the University of Minnesota. He served as Chief Warrant Officer and helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He was awarded the Silver Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross. After several years of working as a pilot in Alaska and Indonesia he returned to Minneapolis where he was president of Fleet Maintenance Inc. He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Wittman. He is survived by his children, Matthew, Libby and Tessa; mother, Marcella; brothers, John, Fr. Peter, Mark; his sister, Therese; stepchildren, and many friends and family who loved him. We can't put to words how deeply he will be missed. Susan Peterson Wittman was born on November 23, 1947 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She graduated from Bloomington Lincoln High School in 1966 and completed her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at St. Cloud State University in 1969. In 1985, she received her Master's in Industrial Education from the University of Minnesota. She was the successful owner of the HRD Department, Inc., which was her pride and joy. Susan was a Foster Care Guardian and very involved with her church, Christ Lutheran in Blaine, and also with Lutheran Ministry in the Twin Cities area. Preceded in death by her father, Robert G. Reder and sister, Elizabeth. Loving mother of Michael Peterson and Amy Choukourian (Paul). Survived by mother, Mary Reder; brothers, John Reder (Mary Ann) and Robert C. Reder (Phyllis); special aunt to Tammy, Phillip, Kate, and Robert Reder; stepchildren, and many other close relatives, friends, neighbors & co-workers. KaiLi Chantik Wittman- Lavelle was born on December 2, 1974 in Jakarta, Indonesia. She grew up in Edina, MN and graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1993. She was employed at her father's business, Fleet Maintenance, in Eden Prairie. She was also an aerobics instructor at Bally's Health and Fitness. She is survived by husband, Daniel Lavelle; mother, Elaine Bowers Wittman; sisters, Rachel (Libby) and Tessa Wittman; brother, Matthew Wittman; grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins; best friend, Michon Brudnell, and many others who loved her. She joined the Wittman family as beloved eldest daughter on Mother's Day, May 11, 1975, and slipped away from us on Mother's Day, May 11, 2003 to become our special angel in heaven. She is in our hearts forever. A memorial service for James, Susan, and KaiLi will be held 11:00 am Monday, May 19 at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, 50th and Knox Ave S., Minneapolis. Visitation will follow the service in the fellowship hall. Memorials preferred to the United Way or donor's choice.