Meldon Pitt

He is survived by his wife, Carol (Tigelaar) Pitt; step daughter, Michelle and Kevin Mackey; step children, Jack Schmidt, Bob Schmidt, Jim and Marcia Schmidt, Margaret and Bob Penning and their children; step grandchildren, Andrew, Violet and Luke Mackey; half sister, Phyllis Wys; nieces, Ruth and Harry Lindquist, Kelly and Gary Lee; nephews, Mark Tanis, Mike and Sue Tanis; brothers and sisters-in-law, Arlene and Bruce Kesler, Howard Tigelaar, Bill and Darlene Tigelaar, Jerry and Judy Tigelaar.

Meldon was born on February 24, 1924 in Chicago, Ill. to Roy and Grace Pitt Shaffner.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Margaret Pitt, Virginia Mary (Schmidt) Pitt.

He was adopted by his grandmother, Mary Jane Pitt in 1928 and moved to Kalamazoo. He graduated high school in Grand Rapids in 1942. Before being drafted in the Army Mel worked with his Uncle Red (Boss) on the pipeline as a welder’s helper. His life was greatly influenced by his Uncle Red and Aunt Ruth Robinson. Mel served in the US Army Air Force in WWII in the European theater, serving as a PFC welder. He was part of the D-Day invasion of Normandy and served proudly in the Battle of the Bulge. He earned the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Unit Citation Ribbons from France and Belgium and infantry Badges. He came home from the war in 1945.

After the war he was doing mechanic work and welding for various garages. He attended college at the University of Michigan for 4 years and the University of Wisconsin for 3 years in the financial and management fields. His first job after college was at Michigan National Bank in Grand Rapids as a loan officer. He had an extensive banking career which enabled him to work in banks not only in Grand Rapids, but also in Traverse City, Empire, Gaylord and Marquette. Upon his retirement from the banking business he obtained a broker’s license and sold real estate. He currently had belonged to the Railroad Train Club, Purple Heart Club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed his model train collecting hobby and playing cribbage. He had a love for the Upper Peninsula and boating. He was quick witted and had a sense of humor.

Funeral services for Meldon will be held on Monday, Jan. 29, at 11:00 A.M. at VanderLaan Funeral Home, 4917 32nd Ave. Hudsonville, MI 49426. Interment Forest Grove Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may meet with the family at VanderLaan Funeral Home on Monday, Jan. 29, from 10 to 11 A.M.

Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army.