Frederick M. “Fred” Pittman, 90, the son of Frederick J. and Kathrine (Lehane) Pittman, was born Oct. 5, 1922, in Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming. He was a graduate of the Kansas City High School, Class of 1938, he also graduated from Huff Business College. Fred had served his country with the U.S. Army during World War II.
On Nov. 23, 1946, Fred was united in marriage with Betty Lou Synhorst in Topeka, Kan. Fred devoted his life to his family. He was a longtime partner and operator of Newton Implement. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church; Knights of Columbus; Rotary Club for 40 plus years; Director at McCann Village; Elks Club; Newton VFW #1655; the Cancer Society and Director for the Farm Implements Dealers of Iowa. Fred enjoyed reading, stamp and coin collecting, community involvement, Rotary, traveling, golf, bowling and rose gardening.
Fred entered into Glory on Monday morning, April 15, 2013, at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 61 years, Betty Lou, on June 3, 2007; brothers: Bill Pittman and Joe Pittman; and a sister Julia Pittman.
Those left to honor the memory of Fred include his daughters and son-in-law, Kay (Darrell) Cross of Des Moines, Iowa, and Luanne Nichols (Mike Fitzpatrick) of rural Newton, Iowa; sons and daughters-in-law, Fredrick L. (Bonnie) Pittman of Newton and Rick (Kathy) Pittman of Newton; his nine grandchildren, John (Laura) Cross, James (Mary) Cross, Melissa (Chad) Anderson, Sean (Lacey) Pittman, Dawn (Jim) Bollhoefer, Mindi Kelso, Lisa (Chris) Gomez, Jill Nichols and Chrisy Nichols; and his 15 great-grandchildren, Danielle, Joshua, Aidan, Autumn, Riley, Katie, Stephanie, Jacob, Kyleigh, Kaden, Gage, Isabella, Sahara, Keira and Amelia; a sister, Margaret Chase of Kansas City, Mo.; a brother, John (Ruby) Pittman of Archie, Mo.; and sisters-in-law Margaret Synhorst of Newton and June (Roy) Taylor of California.
A visitation with the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2013, with a vigil service at 8 p.m. at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 19, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton, with Father William Reynolds and Deacon Dan Goetz officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials are being designated to; Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Rotary Foundation.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.pencefh.com.