When you're looking for Schultz Funeral Home DeWitt obituaries, you aren't just looking for a date and a time. You're usually looking for a person. Or maybe you're trying to figure out if you missed a visitation at that big brick building on 8th Street.
Honestly, finding these records should be easier than it is. We live in an era where you can track a pizza across town in real-time, yet finding a specific tribute from three years ago in Clinton County can feel like a digital scavenger hunt.
Schultz Funeral Homes has been a staple in DeWitt and Grand Mound for decades. Doug and Pat Schultz ran the show for a long time before handing the reins to Jeannette and JJ Erickson in 2022. Because of that transition and the way local newspapers have changed, the "official" record is kind of scattered.
Finding Schultz Funeral Home DeWitt Obituaries Without the Headache
The first mistake everyone makes? They go straight to Google and click the first Legacy or Tribute Archive link they see. Don't do that yet.
If the passing was recent—like within the last few days—the most accurate source is the Schultz Funeral Homes official website. Why? Because the directors there, the Ericksons, upload those details directly. They control the narrative. If a service time changes because of an Iowa snowstorm, that’s where the update happens first.
But what if you're looking for someone who passed away in, say, 2019?
That's where things get a bit more "Iowa nice" and complicated. The Clinton Herald often carries these, but they sometimes gate them behind a survey or a paywall. If you’re looking for someone like Barb Lippens, who passed away in early 2026, or even deeper archives like the 100-year legacy of Joseph Lawrence Ryan from 2018, you’ve got to know where to dig.
- The Official Site: Best for current services and the "Tribute Wall" where you can actually leave a comment.
- The Clinton Herald: Good for archival searches, but watch out for the ads.
- Facebook: Weirdly enough, the Schultz Funeral Home Facebook page is often the fastest way to see "live" updates or streaming links for services at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Why the DeWitt Community Relies on These Records
DeWitt is a town where people know your car before they know your name. When a name appears in the Schultz Funeral Home DeWitt obituaries, it’s a community event.
📖 Related: Thinking of you messages for a friend: Why the simplest texts are actually the best
Take a look at the history here. This isn't just a business; it's a hand-off of legacy. The McGinnis and Kelly families started things off. Then the Schultzes took over in '81. Now, Jeannette and JJ are the ones helping families through the worst weeks of their lives.
When you read these obituaries, you see the patterns of DeWitt life. You see graduates of Central Community Schools. You see long careers at John Deere in Mt. Joy or the car dealerships that LeRoy Wagener used to run. You see the names of local churches like Grace Lutheran or Emmaus Road.
Basically, these obituaries are the unofficial history book of Clinton County.
What to Do if You Can't Find an Obituary
Sometimes, you search and search and nothing pops up. It’s frustrating.
There are a few reasons for this. Not every family wants a public obituary. It's a choice. Sometimes, they opt for a "private service," which means the funeral home won't post the details online to respect that privacy.
Another factor is cost. Newspapers charge by the line. It's expensive! A lot of families are now choosing to post a full, beautiful story on the funeral home website for free and only putting a tiny "death notice" in the paper.
If you are stuck, here is what I’d suggest:
- Check the "Archives" section on the Schultz website specifically.
- Search the name plus "DeWitt Iowa" rather than just the funeral home name.
- Call them. Seriously. They are at 722 8th Street. The phone number is (563) 659-5241. They are humans, and they are usually very helpful if you're just trying to send flowers or find a burial site at Elmwood Cemetery.
Writing a Tribute That Doesn't Sound Like a Robot
If you're the one tasked with writing one of these for Schultz, please, don't just list dates.
People want to know the "stuff." Did they love Dr. Pepper? Were they "gun-shy around pig dust" like the Ryan family mentioned in Joseph's 100th-year tribute? Those are the details that matter. Mention the 1965 graduate status from Northeast High School or their obsession with the St. Patrick’s Day float.
The best Schultz Funeral Home DeWitt obituaries are the ones that make you laugh a little through the tears because they actually sound like the person who died.
📖 Related: How Do I Make a Margarita Pizza That Actually Tastes Like Italy?
Practical Steps for Your Search
If you are currently looking for information or planning a service, keep these steps in mind to save yourself some time.
First, verify the location. Schultz has locations in DeWitt and Grand Mound. Make sure you're looking at the right one, though they often share an online database.
Second, if you're looking for a veteran, check for the American Flag icon on the listing. This usually indicates there will be military honors, which might happen at a different time than the main service, often at a cemetery like the one in Petersville or the Rock Island National Cemetery.
Lastly, if you're trying to send flowers, use the link directly on their site. It ensures the florist knows exactly which visitation window they need to hit. There is nothing worse than flowers showing up an hour after the family has left for the church.
Actionable Next Steps:
- For Recent Passings: Go directly to the Schultz Funeral Homes "All Obituaries" page and use the search bar at the top right.
- For Genealogy: Use the Clinton Herald’s obituary search tool, but filter by "DeWitt" to weed out the Davenport or Dubuque results.
- For Direct Assistance: If you need to verify a service time for a funeral happening today or tomorrow, call (563) 659-5241 instead of relying on a Google snippet that might be cached from yesterday.