Obituaries

September 3, 1930 to September 2, 2022

WINAMAC - Royal Garland “Jack” Fites Jr., 91, of Winamac, passed away Friday, Sept. 2, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac. 

He was born Sept. 3, 1930, in Winamac to Hazel A. [Hewitt] and Royal Garland “Jack” Fites Sr. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1948. He married Pauline Elizabeth Becker on Jan. 3, 1953 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. She passed away Oct. 10, 2017.

Jack Fites Jr.

He is survived by:
Diane (Bill) Moyer, Coldwater, MI, daughter
Jeff (Robin) Fites, Commerce Twp., MI, son
Andrea (Troy) Tennyson, Union City, MI, granddaughter
Erica (Chris) Saggau, Jacksonville Beach, FL, granddaughter
Scott (Megan) Fites, Waunkee, WI, grandson
Kateri (Ben) Gilliland, Carnation, WA, granddaughter
MaryBeth (Nathan) Deinlein, Denver, CO, granddaughter
Great-grandchildren: Emma Tennyson, Aubrey Tennyson, Peter Fites, Addilyn Tennyson, Paul Fites, Olivia Saggau, Elara Gilliland, Oliver Saggau, and Orion Gilliland.

Preceded in death by:
Royal Fites Sr., father
Hazel Fites Cassaday, mother

While in high school, Mr. Fites worked at the newspaper in town, and at Fitz’ Garage. He entered the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was proud to be a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division. After leaving military service, he attended business school to become an accountant. He then worked for Courier Newsome in Logansport, North Express in Winamac, and finally retired from Biggs in Lafayette. He loved his family and delighted in visits from them. He was also involved in many organizations in town including: The Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Knights of Columbus where he served as Grand Knight and was a 4th degree member, and the American Legion. He continued to attend St. Peter’s Catholic Church through the years. Those who knew him were aware of his love for tinkering with tools and engines, inventing gadgets, working in his yard, assisting Pauline with her garden, and his many woodworking projects. In recent years he enjoyed ordering pizza from the local Pizza Hut when family came into town, and conversing with local business employees regularly. Rumor has it t he earned notoriety as the devoted husband who walked to the cemetery daily to visit his beloved wife’s final resting place. He delighted in his constantly growing family. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him and loved him, and the many lessons he taught will live on for generations to come.

 A scriptural wake service will be at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Visitation will follow from 4 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m., followed by a Knights of Columbus service. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 23, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac with Rev. Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Cemetery or Memorial Swinging Bridge Fund.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.