Michael Pitzer

Michael D. Pitzer age 44 of Paola, Kansas passed away Monday, Feb. 28, 2011 at home after a courageous battle with brain cancer, memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the Pitzer Memorial Fund (Children's Education Fund, First Lutheran Church, Catholic Community Hospice and Miami County Cancer Foundation) in care of Penwell-Gabel 305 N. Pearl Paola Kansas 66071. Michael was born on April, 4, 1966 in Rochelle, IL to Dale and Laura Lohse Pitzer. He graduated from Franklin Grove High School in 1984 and attended Illinois State and Purdue University, graduating with his Masters Degree in Agronomy from Purdue in 1991. After college Michael was employed with the John Deere Company for 20 years in management. On Aug. 1, 1998 he was united in marriage to Melinda Adkins in Dixon, IL. They made their home in Paola, KS since 2005 from Bettendorf, IA. Michael enjoyed coaching football, baseball, basketball, farming, snowmobiling, traveling around the world and spending time with his family and friends. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Purdue Boilermakers fan. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Roy Lohse and Harvey Pitzer. Survivors are his wife Melinda: daughter, Lindsey; son, Brock; daughters,Madelyn,an Amanda Pitzer all of the home; Parents, Dale and Laura Pitzer of Franklin Grove, IL; parents-in-law, Clifford and Linda Adkins of Nashville, TN; brother, Jeff and wife Shelley Pitzer of Franklin Grove,Il; brother, Randy Pitzer and his children of Dixon IL; sister, Linda and husband Kurt Dressnandt of Mukwonago, WI; sister, Lisa and husband Chris Jahn and family of Franklin Grove IL; fraternal grandmother, Edith Pitzer of Franklin Grove IL; and maternal grandmother, Helen Gallimore of Harrisburg IL. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Paola First Lutheran Church 401 E. Piankishaw, Paola KS 66071 Service: Saturday, March 05, 2011 10:30 AM Visitation: Friday, March 04, 2011 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM