Charles Fitch Sr. Dies Thursday
Charles Wesley Fitch Sr., 83, formerly of 322 N. Rowe St. for many years, died Thursday evening at Paulina Streans Hospital where he had been a patient for a few days. During the last two years when Mr. Fitch was in failing health he had made his home with his son and daughter-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Fitch Jr. of 805 Dexter St.
The deceased was born June 6, 1878, in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. He spent his early childhood in Antrim County and came to Riverton Township with his parents in 1886, where he lived until 1919 and engaged in fruit farming.
In September 1919, he moved to Ludington and was a rural mail carrier from January, 1920, until he retired Dec. 31, 1945. He first used a horse and a cutter for winter deliveries and later had a snowmobile which he used on his route.
After he retired, Mr. Fitch built his own winter home in Dunedin, Fla., where he spent winters until two years ago.
He was married Oct. 29, 1902, in Summit Township to Miss Ethel Rose who died in February 1940. His second marriage took place Nov. 24, 1942, in Ludington to Mrs. Grace Jacobson who died in July 1960.
Mr. Fitch was a faithful member of First Methodist Church in Ludington where he had been a Sunday School teacher for many years. For many years he was a member of the church board. When the family lived in Riverton Township, Mr. Fitch was Sunday School superintendent at Morton School.
He was a member of Pere Marquette Grange, Pomona Grange, Mutual Arbor of Gleaners and Rural Letter Carrier's Association.
Surviving are a son Charles W. Fitch Jr., eight daughters Mrs. Hiram (Gladys) Herrick of Ludington Route 2, Mrs. Alfred (Alice) Chinnery, Mrs. Clifford (Arlene) Dixon and Mrs. James (Ethel) Cassan of Ludington; Mrs. Floyd (Hazel) McDonald of Ludington Route 1, Mrs. Roy (Elsie) Henry of Custer Route 1, Mrs. Clarence (Helen) Burmeister of Hart Route 1 and Mrs. Marvin (Bernice) Rotman of Holland; three step-daughters Mrs. Willard (Alfhild) Tallefson and Mrs. Arnold (Edith) Grant of Ludington and Mrs. Carlton (Gertrude) Benson of Kalamazoo; a sister Mrs. Rex (Harriet) Young of Ludington, two brothers William Fitch of Ludington Route 1 and Ernest Fitch of Albuquerque, N.M., 31 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and several cousins in Ontario. Mr. Fitch was preceded in death by his wives, his parents, a baby daughter, three sisters and a brother.
The body is at Dorrell Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday from First Methodist Church.
- from 14 Apr 1962 Ludington Daily News