Robert L. Pitz

Robert L. Pitz, 82, of Aurora, passed away peacefully in his sleep with family members attending on February 21, 2014 in Aurora, IL. Bob was born October 10, 1931 in Roseland, NE and moved to Aurora at the age of eight. He became a member of Annunciation BVM Church. By the age of 12, he was a 3-peat champion of the Fox Valley Community Plowing Match. He was called to serve in the U.S. Eighth Army, Corps of Combat Engineers in 1951 during the Korean Conflict. He returned to Marywood outside of Aurora in 1953, at the rank of corporal, rejoining Annunciation Church and began to usher the 7:30 AM Mass for the next 60 years. He married his wife Lois (Zitt) of Naperville, IL in 1955 and had 5 children. He was a 4th degree Knights of Columbus. He was also a volunteer firefighter for the Marywood Fire Dept. and a member of the Marywood Gun Club. He was also a member of the Phoenix Club, Turners Club, and Luxembourg-American Club. He was a proud retired member of the International Union of Operator Engineers Local 150 and had worked for D. G. Brummel Excavating for 20 years, Naperville Excavating for another 20 years, and finished with Adcock Construction when he retired in 1996. He is survived by his five children, Ken (Marian) Pitz, Karen (Rick) Handell, Kathy (Scott) Smith, Karolyn (Craig) Griffin, and Kevin (Milissa) Pitz; 13 grandchildren, Adam (Becky) Pitz, Sara Pitz, Alan (Melissa) Pitz, Lisa Pitz, Bryan ( Jenny) Handell, Nick (Mia) Handell, Tim Handell, Ray Smith, Chris Smith, Cory Griffin, Cassidy Griffin, Connor Griffin, and Nolan Pitz; 7 great grandchildren, Noah, Ella and Owen Pitz, Abby and Rebecca Handell, Clark and Penelope Handell; his brother, Eugene (Barbara) Pitz; his sisters, Rita Schmidt, , Charlene (James) Barry, Sr. Phyllis Pitz (O.S.F), and Marge Pitz; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Lois, and his parents, Joseph and Sarah (Bonifas) Pitz. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 28, 2014 at 9:30 AM from THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, to Annunciation Church at 10:00; Fr. Patrick Gillmeyer, O.S.B. will officiate with interment in Marywood Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 27, 2014 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 AM with a Liturgical Wake Service at 3:00 PM at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 North Lake Street, Aurora. 630-631-5500. Please visit our interactive website at www.daleidenmortuary.com to leave condolences for Robert’s family or sign the guest book. Memorial contributions in Robert’s name may be made to The Neighbors Next Door, 700 Audrey Avenue Aurora, IL 60505 or The Midwest Academy, 2416 340th Street Keokuc, IA 52632.

Robert L. Pitz

October 10, 1931 - February 21, 2014