Francis R. "Pit" Pitlik

Francis R. “Pit” Pitlik, 83, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Service: 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, at All Saints Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. A vigil service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, with a visitation to follow until 7 p.m. Burial: St. John’s Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Jean; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Florence Bridges, Margaret Woods and Helen Neal; and brother, Jack Pitlik.

Francis was born Oct. 13, 1929, in Mount Vernon, Iowa, the son of Joseph and Maria (Beranek) Pitlik. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School with the Class of 1948. Francis married Helen Jean Mosher on Sept. 15, 1951, at All Saints Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. He was a veteran of the United States Navy having served during the Korean War. Francis retired from Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids after 41 years. He was a member of All Saints Catholic Church; VFW Post #788 of Cedar Rapids; American Legion Post #298 of Marion, veteran’s organization 40/8, Cadets of St. George, and St. Peter & Paul Historical Society of Solon.

Memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous at P.O. Box 418, Monticello, IA, 52310, in Francis’ memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Francis at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 4, 2012.