Lewis Fitts, 79

Lewis C. Fitts, age 79, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday afternoon, Nov. 1, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.

He was born Feb. 26, 1933, in Hudson, a son of the late Harry and Irene (Losey) Fitts.

Lewis had resided in Sturgis for the past 32 years, coming from White Pigeon.

On Nov. 15, 1980, he married Carol Munson at First Church of God in Sturgis.

In 1997, he retired from Sturgis Molded Products in Sturgis after 13 years of employment. He also had worked at Central Manufacturing Service in Three Rivers and Coca-Cola Distributing in Sturgis.

After 33 years of dedicated service to his country, he retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, earning the rank of master gunnery sergeant. His many years of service included a tour of duty during the Korean War and two tours of duty during the Vietnam War. He received many accommodations and medals, including the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, Vietnam Service Medal with two stars, Purple Heart and Naval Commendation Letter.

He was a member of Pretty Prairie United Methodist Church in Howe, Ind., where he was also a member of the Men’s Club, and he enjoyed cooking, grilling and walking.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 32 years, Carol; three daughters, Diane (Dale) Norton of Bryan, Ohio, Judy Pilch of Ocala, Fla., and Connie (Kevin) Wright of White Pigeon; four sons, Brad (Laurie) Wagaman of Manahawkin, N.J., Terry (Betsy) Wagaman of Dearborn Heights, Randy (Tracy) Wagaman of Commerce Township and Kevin Wagaman of White Pigeon; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Tena Gould of Plainwell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Joseph Bringman; and a sister, Harriett Sussdorf.

The family will receive friends from 2-6 p.m. Sunday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Lewis Fitts will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. The Rev. Jean Ness of Pretty Prairie United Methodist Church will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Pretty Prairie Cemetery in Howe, where full military honors will be conferred by the U.S. Marine Corp Honor Guard and the Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donations in Mr. Fitts’ memory consider the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.