Edie Jane Wittenberg (14) of Strasburg

Edie Jane Wittenberg, 14, of Strasburg, Illinois, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior at 6:42 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, IL. 

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 18, 2024, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Strasburg, IL, with Rev. Kene Whybrew officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Strasburg, IL. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m on Tuesday, July 16 in the Stewardson-Strasburg High School gymnasium. Memorials may be given to WSS Sportsbackers or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Strasburg. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Strasburg, IL. 

Edie was born June 3, 2010, in Mattoon, IL, the daughter of John Barry and Courtney Lyn (Hooten) Wittenberg. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Strasburg, Rapid Fire volleyball, and Mattoon Pride softball but was also beyond excited to start her debut for the WSS Hatchets volleyball, softball, track, and basketball teams, alongside her sister and cousins.

Edie was a driven, determined, ambitious soul with a contagious smile that lit up a room. She radiated a pure love for life, Jesus, family, and her friends. If Edie wasn’t practicing bettering her athletic skills, she was making endless hours of TikTok dances with her sister, trying to beat her brothers at any and every sport, loudly singing lyrics to every song she heard (because music was always playing), or checking the UV with her friends to get the best tan. She had an electric energy about her that put a smile on everyone’s face. She loved SO deeply that she referred to everyone as her “bestie” and, in return, was referred to by others with nicknames like Sweets, Yoda, Eddie Jane, EJ, and Jeaner.

Edie always saw the good in everyone and every situation, had the most compassionate and humble heart, and touched the lives of everyone around her. She loved her friends and family fiercely and especially loved traveling and boating with them. She also had a love for ice cream, orange chicken, smoothie bowls, iced chai lattes, and anything cotton candy flavored. To know Edie was to love her, and anyone who was lucky enough to know her will forever have an imprint on their hearts.

She set some big goals to play collegiate volleyball, open up an aesthetician business, own a Bronco, meet JJ McCarthy, and visit Turks & Caicos. Edie lived her life to the fullest each and every day and experienced more in her short 14 years than many do in a lifetime. 

She is survived by her parents, Barry and Courtney; brothers, Jordan John Wittenberg and Austin James Wittenberg both of Strasburg, IL; sister, Ellie Lyn Wittenberg of Strasburg, IL; paternal grandparents, John and Judy Wittenberg of Strasburg, IL; maternal grandparents, Jim and Sally Hooten of Gays, IL; aunts, Sara (Kenneth) Hayes of Strasburg, IL and Casey (Dillon) Harley of Mattoon, IL; uncles Greg (Ali) Hooten of Springfield, IL and Brad (Amy) Hooten of Sullivan, IL; and cousins Hannah, Natalie, Samantha, and Kendra (bsf4l) Hayes of Stewardson, IL; Mia, Max, and Myles Harley of Mattoon, IL; and Mitchell, Owen, and Noah Hooten of Sullivan, IL. She was preceded in death by her infant brother, Andrew Barry Wittenberg. 

Keep moving mountains, Edie Jane. We will forever hold you in our hearts until we can hold you again in our arms.