Clarence J. “Klee” Fitze, 89, of Lancaster, PA died April 3rd at Willow Valley. Born in Tunkhannock, PA, he was the son of the late Judd M. and Louise Lynch Fitze. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, the former Ruth Steigerwalt.
A Lieutenant in the United States Navy (Naval Aviator), he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for serving in World War II as a B-24 pilot.
Mr. Fitze was a member of First United Methodist Church in Lancaster.
Klee and Ruth moved from Tunkhannock to Lancaster 16 years ago, where they were lifelong members of the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church.
Mr. Fitze was the original owner of Fitze’s Department Store, retiring in 1980. He served on the Board of Directors of Commonwealth Telephone and United Penn Bank, and was President of Tunkhannock Industrial Foundation, of the Tunkhannock Rotary Club and of the Wyoming County United Way and Scoutmaster of Troop 681 B.S.A.
He was a 60-year Mason and a life-time member of the Rotary Club of Tunkhannock and a Paul Harris Fellow. He and Ruth were avid travelers and had the opportunity to visit every continent.
In addition to his wife, “Klee” is survived by a daughter, Deborah F., wife of Henry C. Rhoads of Audubon, PA; a son, Judd B., husband of Dianne Fitze of Tunkhannock; four grandchildren, Melissa K. Rhoads of Arlington, VA, Kevin M. Rhoads of Philadelphia, PA, Christopher J. and Sabrina Fitze of Atlanta, GA and Corey J. Fitze of Washington, DC. He is also survived by his sister, Arlene Fitze Spierling, of Lancaster, PA.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Service at the Johnson Auditorium in Willow Valley North, 600 Willow Valley Square, Lancaster, PA on Thursday, April 7th, at 11:00 A.M. The family will greet friends immediately following the Memorial Service. Interment in Sunnyside Cemetery, Tunkhannock, PA will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in “Klee’s” memory may be sent to Mathias J. Brunner Educational Nursing Fund, c/o Bookkeeper, Willow Valley Retirement Communities, 600 Willow Valley Square, Lancaster, PA 17602.
Arrangements by Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home, 717- 394-4097. For further information, or to send an on-line condolence, please visit:
www.kasnyderfuneralhome.com