Louis L. Vitzthum Obituary (1918 - 2009)

PONTIAC -- Louis LeRoy Vitzthum, 90, of Pontiac died at 9:30 p.m. Saturday (March 21, 2009) at Evenglow Lodge Tjardes Health Center, Pontiac. The Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Pontiac, with Father Michael Bies officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Duffy Funeral Home, Pontiac, where a rosary will be recited at 3:45 p.m. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Pontiac. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Grade School, Pontiac, or Evenglow Lodge Health Center, Pontiac. He was born Aug. 13, 1918, in Wesley, Iowa, a son of George and Bernice Dolan Vitzthum. He married Kathryn Francis on Oct. 19, 1945, in Wesley, Iowa. She survives in Pontiac. Also surviving are one son, Louis L. Vitzthum Jr. of Pontiac; five daughters, Deanna K. (Rudy) Weichman of Flanagan, Carole F. (Jack) Cashmer of Cornell, Marla L. (Larry) Weber of Cornell, Sheila R. Dunning of Bloomington, and Avis E. (Paul) Casson of Pontiac; two brothers, Tom (Louise) Vitzthum of Laurens, Iowa, and Mike (Joan) Vitzthum of Wesley, Iowa; two sisters, Rita Youngwirth of Wesley, Iowa, and Janice (Bill) Ludwig of Corwith, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Den, Gaylon, George Jr. and Jack Vitzthum; and one sister, Ruth Kaloplastos. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and past member of Pontiac Moose Lodge. He had been the assistant manager of the Northern IL Water Company in Pontiac, for 31 years until retirement. He then worked at Ace Hardware in Pontiac. He had attended Wesley Iowa schools. He enjoyed spending time with his family, refinishing antique furniture, gardening and playing cards. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and Green Bay Packers fan. He loved watching the Pontiac Holiday Tournament and received the Super Fan award for 2004. His gentle spirit and compassionate heart touched his family and many friends who will always remember him.