SSG (Ret) Clinnard Ray Witten, US Army, age 80, of Carlisle, passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at West Shore Hospital, Mechanicsburg.  He was born on March 17, 1939 in Penman, WV and was a son of the late John Witten, Sr. and Estelle (Gammon) Witten.

He graduated from the North High School, Columbus, Ohio in 1957, where he was the captain of the Speech and Debate Team and lauded for his recitation of Edgar Allen Poe's, The Raven.  Ray retired as a Staff Sergeant after 20 years of service with the US Army.  He was a two-tour medic veteran of the Vietnam War and was awarded several medals for his honorable service to his country.  He was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Carlisle, where he sang bass in the choir.

He is survived by one son, Clark A. Witten of Carlisle; three brothers, John Witten, Jr., Lowell Witten and Wetzel "Grady" Witten; two sisters, Hazel Mahone and Carol Carter; one step-sister, Cheryl Walker; and many nieces and nephews.  Ray was preceded in death by one brother, Herman Witten.

Inurnment services with military honors will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on Friday, September 13, 2019 at 11:30 a.m.  Ewing Brothers Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.  www.Since1853.com.