Duane Fitch
RE: Death of your member, Duane Fitch
This morning I received your "Pike Speaks" newsletter which had been mailed to Duane Fitch of Burlington, Kansas. I am saddened to tell you that Duane passed away on August 21, 2008. A copy of his obituary follows, together with the link to it's source ... and I dare say that it doesn't mention a multitude of the things Duane did and the lives he touched here in Burlington, and in his many travels. Duane was a dear friend and an irreplacable character in history circles in our area, and will be greatly missed.
Regards, Brad Jones
Duane Alden Fitch
BURLINGTON- Duane Alden Fitch was born April 26, 1928, at Burlington, Kansas, the son of George R. and Addie M. (Theobald) Fitch.
He grew up and attended school in Burlington, graduating from Burlington High School in the Class of 1946. He worked as a substitute clerk in post offices at Burlington, Topeka and New Strawn. He was the unofficial head historian for Burlington and Coffey County, he loved to travel, supported BHS sports and music groups wherever they played, was an official weather observer, and was a dedicated member of the Burlington United Methodist Church, where he served as Sunday School secretary and kept attendance records for over 50 years.
Active in Masonic organizations, he was a 36-year member of Burlington Lodge 66 AF&AM, where he served as the Lodge secretary for many years, and belonged to the Scottish Rite and Arab Shrine Temple in Topeka, Royal Arch Masons in Burlington, and York Rite bodies in Iola. He also was a member of Eastern Star Chapter #83 at LeRoy, and Chapter #384 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees at Emporia.
His death came at Coffey County Hospital in Burlington on Thursday, August 21, 2008. He was preceded by his parents; by an infant sister, Anita Carol Fitch; and by his sister, Madeline Grace Fitch. He is survived by several cousins and many friends. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, August 26, 2008, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington.
Burial with Masonic services will follow in Strawn Cemetery. Mr. Fitch will lie in state on Monday from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington. There will be no formal visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to Coffey County Historical Society, for its genealogy programs, in care of Jones Funeral Home at Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.
Submitted by
Brad Jones
Copyright © 2009
Pike Co. Genealogy & Historical Society
P. O. Box 224, Waverly, Ohio 45690