Cyril J. Pittman
Cyril J. Pittman, age 84 of Durand, died Monday, June 30, 2014 at the Chippewa Valley Hospital in Durand.
Cyril was born on January 23, 1930 on the Pittman home farm in the Little Arkansaw Valley, Town of Waterville. He was the son of Frank Jr. and Lucy A (Boigenzahn) Pittman. He grew up in the Arkansaw area, attended the Little Arkansaw Country School and graduated from Arkansaw High School in 1946. After high school, Cyril joined the U.S. Air Force and served as a Staff Sargent with the First Radio Relay in Germany during the Korean War. After he was Honorably Discharged in 1951, Cyril returned home to Arkansaw and continued to build the family farm. He married Jane Myers on July 6, 1954 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Plum City. They continued to farm and raise their family. In 2000, the Pittman farm was recognized as a Century farm. They continued living on the farm until 2011 when they moved into the City of Durand, where he remained the rest of his life.
Cyril enjoyed camping, watching NASCAR and football, especially the Packers. He enjoyed playing pinochle and being social with friends. In his younger years, Cyril enjoyed boxing and dartball in high school. Cyril was a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Arkansaw and was a Golden Member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Durand and Eau Galle American Legions and enjoyed attending his Air Force reunions. During his farming years, Cyril was a member of the Pepin County Farm Management Club.
Cyril is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jane; seven children; Steven (Be`Be`) of Leesburg, VA; Debbie (Michael) Moody of River Falls; Donna (Ervin) Lauer of Arkansaw; Carole Jean (Rodney) Baier of Eau Galle; Daniel (MaryJo) of Arkansaw; Dale (Michelle) of Eau Galle and Kelly (Steven) Verrall of La Crosse, 20 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, two brothers; Eugene of Madison and Arthur of Springfield, IL; one sister; Audrey Standfast of Chanute, KS, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, one son; Gary, two brothers; Francis and Raymond, one sister; Lucielle Forster one brother-in-law; Paul Standfast and two sisters-in-law; Carole Pittman and Shirley Pittman.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Arkansaw. Rev. Paul G. Czerwonka will officiate. Burial will be held in the church cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Durand American Legion Post #181. Friends may call from 5-8 PM Tuesday at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand and one hour prior to services at St. Joseph’s Church on Wednesday.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.