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Robert W. Fitch

Robert W. Fitch, 94, of Sheffield PA, passed away Monday January 16, 2017 at St. Vincent Hospital of Erie following a brief illness.

Bob was born April 11, 1922 in Sheffield, the son of the late Glen and Josephine Smedley Fitch. A lifelong Sheffield resident, he was a 1939 graduate of Sheffield High School.  Following high school he worked at O’Connor Machine Company of Sheffield from1941 to 1943, at which time he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the 28th division in the European Theater during World War II. He landed in Normandy France shortly after the initial invasion. Bob was wounded in the Battle of the HedgeRows in St. Lo France. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Presidential Citation, and the European African Middle Eastern Theater with Two Bronze Stars.

While recuperating from his wounds at Camp Butner, North Carolina, he met and married his wife Shirley Rummelt Fitch on Nov. 16, 1946.

Bob was the founder and proprietor of the Fitch Disposal Company which he started in 1946, retiring in 1985, as the company still exists today.

Bob was a faithful member of the Barnes United Methodist Church, where he served for many years as a greeter, usher, and rang the church bells. He was also a Township Supervisor for more than twenty years. He lived to serve his family and community as well. Bob had an incredible work ethic and treated all as he wished to be treated.  Over time, he passed these morals and ethic on to his children and grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy to this world.

Bob was a Life Member of the Sheffield VFW where he served as commander of the Honor Guard for 60 years, having done more the 1700 Military Funerals. He truly enjoyed camaraderie of his fellow Veterans at the VFW. He was also a longtime active member of the North Star Lodge # 241, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Coudersport Consistory. He also enjoyed playing golf with family and friends and cheering for his beloved Cleveland Indians and Browns.

Bob is survived by two daughters, Cindy Blodgett and husband Rusty, of Warren, and Sally Fitch of Lexington KY; three sons Robert D. Fitch and wife Theresa, of Attica N.Y., Jay Fitch and companion Mary Blair, of Barnes, and Jim Fitch and wife Wendy, of Barnes; eleven grandchildren; eleven greatgrandchildren; and numerous nephews.

In addition to his parents, and his wife Shirley, who died on June 7, 1982, he was also preceded in death by two sisters, Glenna Danielson and Betty Blymiller; three brothers,  Kenneth, Harry, and Gail Fitch, two infant sisters, a step granddaughter, Amanda Craker, and a daughter in law, Amanda Fitch.

Friends will be received at the Peterson-Blick Funeral Home Inc., 1003 Penna. Ave. East, Warren, PA, 16365, on Wednesday, January 18, from 5 to 8 p.m., and at the Barnes United Methodist Church, for one hour prior to a funeral service to be held there at 1:00 p.m., with Rev. Terence Teluch, pastor, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Sheffield Cemetery, with Military Honors provided by the Sheffield and Clarendon VFW Honor Guard.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Barnes United Methodist Church or to the Sheffield VFW Honor Guard.

Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so by visiting www.petersonblickfuneralhome.com.