Tamara L. Wittich

Tamara L. "Tami" (nee Ferguson) Wittich, age 57, of West Chester, Ohio


Simply put, Tami was a teacher.  Indeed she was also a mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. But she was, even in those roles, a teacher.

Even as she passed at home surrounded by her family on Sunday 3/19/17, she used every last minute to make she we knew she loved us and she taught us through her strength and grace how to be strong for ourselves and also how to contribute to the strength of the 3 adult children ,Alexandrea (husband Jonathan) Poeder, Kelsey Wittich and John Kenneth Wittich, she leaves behind.

Born, Sunday, May 24, 1959 in Dayton, Ohio to Gene Ferguson and Theodora (nee Byers) Ferguson, she began her training as teacher by leading her cheer team in HS, even allowing her much younger sister,  Angie (husband Geoff) Curtis, to become a mascot of sorts on her team. Between babysitting, teaching a variety of lessons, and lifeguarding her confidence and love of children grew.

Upon entering college at Hanover College, in Madison, IN; she began her formal teaching training and truly blossomed. It was here that she met the love of her life, John E Wittich, who preceded her in death 20 months ago in July 2015. Besides sharing a birthday, they also shared this love and gift with children. They spent their summers working with troubled youth at Englishton Park and eventually both ended up working as educators in Lakota Local Schools. John as a school psychologist, Tami as an Elementary teacher.

Tami taught everything from special education to blended 3rd and 4th grade. But teaching English in her fourth-grade classes was by far her passion. And she was beyond brilliant at it.

At the time of her passing, she had touched the lives, through her 30+ of work, of nearly 4,000 students .
Many of whom have gone on to become or plan to become a teacher and those who have, completely credit it to her.

While many will remember her as this natural and brilliant teacher to all, it was her role as “Mimi” to her 2 grandchildren, Jack and Cordelia, that she self-declared to be her greatest. To them, she taught a love of books, how to plant the best tomatoes, a love of baking days, and how cookies and messes are always allowed at Mimi’s house.

Everyone who came in contact with her felt her warmth and left just a little bit changed. Simply put Tami was a teacher.

She will be sorely missed.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held Saturday, April 15, 2017 , from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Mueller Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Road, Mason, Ohio 45040.  A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 1:00 PM.  Time for the fellowship will follow the service.

Memorials may be directed as children's books delivered to Freedom Elementary c/o Lance Green or Mueller Funeral home c/o Alexandrea Poeder . All books will be adorned with a memorial bookplate and donated to Freedom Elementary School Media Center. A fitting Legacy.