Michael "Mike" Fitch, 81, of Kankakee, passed away Monday,
June 16th, at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, following a
sudden illness.
He was born on April 29, 1944, in Roodhouse, Illinois, to
the Rev Ralph and Gladys Fitch. He moved to Kankakee in 1959
when his father was transferred as a pastor to Trinity
United Methodist Church. He met his beloved wife Linda, at
Trinity, and they went on to become high school sweethearts.
They were wed on April 22, 1967, in Kankakee, and were
married for 48 years, before she preceded him in death.
Mike graduated from Kankakee High School in 1962, and then
graduated from Devry Institute of Technology in 1965, where
he was then hired on as a teacher of electronics and math.
He and his wife lived in Chicago after their marriage, while
she worked as a nurse, and he continued to teach at Devry.
They moved back to Kankakee in 1970, as they started their
family.
He joined his mother-in-law and father-in-law in their
family business, Clyde's Camera 'n' Cards in 1970. After
they retired in 1975, Mike and Lin and Lin's sister and her
husband became the new co-owners of Clyde's in the
Meadowview Shopping Center, where he continued to work for
the next 13 years. In 1988 he went to work as a design
engineer for Parker Machine Corporation, in Frankfort. He
made another major career move in 1994, when he began work
at Phoenix Closures, in Naperville, as a
mechanical/electrical engineer. He retired in 2012.
Mike
loved photography and not only did it all of his life as a
hobby, but also did weekly photo developing and photo
restoration for Clyde's Camera 'n' cards, and photographed
weddings, for a period of time. He was an enthusiastic
fisherman and hunter, and loved camping with his family and
friends. He was happily involved for many years with
Kankakee Valley Theatre, and not only did set design and
construction for many of their productions, but also served
as President of KVT from 1991- 1996. He was a lifelong
member of Trinity United Methodist Church, and through the
years supported the church as a choir member, Sunday school
teacher and youth group leader, trustee, and building
committee chairperson. He was a much loved friend, Dad and
Papa.
He is survived by his daughters Michelle (Scott) Kennedy of
Elmhurst, and Lisa-Kate (Tony) Iovinelli, of Batavia, six
grandchildren-Harrison, Owen, and Wyatt Kennedy and Parker,
Sonia, and Mia Wilson, many nephews and nieces, and his dear
friend Mary Lou Bates.
He was preceded in death by his three sisters, Muriel
Dawson, Enid Smith, and Anne Bedford.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Trinity United
Methodist Church, Kankakee, on Saturday July 19th with
visitation beginning at 9:30, and the service beginning at
11:00. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Schreffler
funeral homes in Kankakee.
