Richard Pitstick

Date of Birth

Dec 26,1936

Date of Death

Sep 20,2014

Richard Dozer Pitstick, age 77, of Elburn, passed away after a long battle with cancer, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family, Sunday evening, September 28, 2014. He was born Decemeber 26, 1936, in Rockwell City, IA, the son of Clarence and Catherine (Moore) Pitstick. He grew up in Rockwell City and attended local schools. He graduated from Rockwell City High School with the class of 1955. Richard furthered his education by attending Iowa State College, and although he paid attention to his studies, he studied a certain girl even more. Mary Lee Fidler was introduced to Richard through a college roommate and the rest was "history". Richard was united in marriage to Mary Lee on October 12, 1957 at S.S. Peter & Paul Church in Virgil, IL. They began their new life together in Virgil for a time before moving to a farm north of Sugar Grove, IL. Later it was Troxel they called home before settling back in Virgil for the next 35 years. In 1992, they found a home in Elburn and filled it with love and memories for the last 22 years. Richard dedicated his life to farming and tilled his land with care, passing on his vast knowledge and "know-how" to the next generation. Richard was a member of the FFA in high school, the DeKalb County Farm Bureau and was a founding member of the Kane County Corn Growers. He was also a member of the DeKalb – Kane Pork and Cattle Producers and past member of the Elburn Lions Club. Richard also was a faithful member of the S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Richard was never shy about his love of coffee and was a patron of many places over the years. The only thing more important than his coffee, were the friends he sat with around the table. He was fond of the phrase, "I guarantee you one thing…" often followed by a bit of wisdom he was more than happy to share…sometimes more than once. "Anyway, Anyhow…" would be a transition phrase that could lead anywhere…and often did. His advice was given freely and received sometimes begrudgingly. Although his hands were made for farming, he often thought about learning to play the piano. His annual Commodity Classic, corn grower conventions, were looked forward to with palpable anticipation. In later years, Mary Lee and Richard spent winters in The Villages, a community full of friends. This Week In Agribusiness, with Max Armstrong and Orion Samuelson, was a Saturday morning destination, but each week day at noon was the aptly named "Noon Show" that was always preceded with a "sssshhh" to quiet the house. He was a "John Deere" enthusiast who proudly wore his green and yellow suspenders with pride. Even after all his associations, conventions, meetings and shows, Richards lived for his fields, rising early and working well past sunset planting and harvesting his crops. For the last thirteen years, Richard has battled cancer with distinction and with a strength rarely found. Always fighting for each day, Richard never wavered and will be remembered for his dignity and the character he displayed until the last day. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 57 years, Mary Lee Pitstick;Seven children:Steve Pitstick,Michael (Melissa) Pitstick, David (Lisa) Pitstick, John (Melisa Ekstrom) Pitstick, Laura (Richard "Rusty") Hall,Debbie Pitstick and Bryan (Tiffany) Pitstick;18 grandchildren: Scott (Kasey) Pitstick and their children, Kaisley and Hudson,Dale Pitstick, Traci (Joe Kingdon) Pitstick, Justine Pitstick and her son Gavin, Brianna (Bart) Gruber and their children, Owen, Hunter and Noah,Abbi (Chris) Ruiz and their children, Kolin, Emma and Madeline,Eric Theisen, Kristin Pitstick, Kari Pitstick, Cody Pitstick, Jenna Pitstick, Jayci Pitstick, Carson Hall, Keegan Hall,Thomas Pitstick, Nicole Pitstick, Vincent Pitstick and Allyson Pitstick;One sister JoAnn (Ron) Hendricks; A brother Larry Pitstick;Two brothers-in-law, James (Sandi) Fidler, Dan (Connie) Fidler;Many nieces, nephews, cousins and a countryside of good friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Catherine, mother and father-in-law, Joseph and Margaret Fidler, his step-mother Charlotte Pitstick-Howard and many aunts, uncles and cousins.Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. at S.S. Peter & Paul Parish Center, Virgil, on Thursday, October 2, 2014. A mass to celebrate his faith will begin at 10 a.m., with a visitation from 9-9:45 a.m., Friday, October 3, at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Virgil. Fr. Perfecto Vasquez, pastor of the church, will officiate with interment to follow at S. S. Peter & Paul Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Richard’s name to benefit his favorite charities, including the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Checks may be made to the "Richard Pitstick Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. at S.S. Peter & Paul Parish Center, Virgil, on Thursday, October 2, 2014. A mass to celebrate his faith will begin at 10 a.m., with a visitation from 9-9:45 a.m., Friday, October 3, at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Virgil. Fr. Perfecto Vasquez, pastor of the church, will officiate with interment to follow at S. S. Peter & Paul Cemetery.

S. S. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Virgil, IL.

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