John was born March 17, 1924 in Dundee, Michigan as the first child of Dewey and Veyril (Getty) Wittkop.

He graduated from Dundee High School in 1942 and served in the Army during World War II. He earned a Bronze Star.

On April 12, 1947, John married Helen Lamson in Azalea, Monroe County, Michigan. She was born on April 13, 1923. They had three childre, one of which, Dennis passed away in 2005.

John worked as a mason foreman at Ypsilanti State Hospital and retired after 36 years service.

Helen died on September 26, 2008 in Dundee at the age of 85.

John passed away on January 9, 2013 in Aspen Grove Assisted Living Residence in Lambertville, Michigan. He was 88 years of age.