Gerald O. Pitney

Rev. Gerald O. "G.O." Pitney, 80, Cherry Valley, died at 2:43 am, Sunday, August 8, 2010 in his home surrounded by loving family. Born March 15, 1930 in Higbee, MO, son of Leonard and Nettie White Pitney. Married Nadine Willoughby in College Street Baptist Church in Springfield, MO on June 24, 1950. He attended and received a lifetime service award from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO. He continued his education at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX and Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, KS. Charter member of Lincoln Wood Baptist Church. He was co-founder /pioneer of the Rockford Rescue Mission and his life was dedicated to helping others. Survivors include his sons; Jay Pitney, Davis, Dan (Tabitha) Pitney, Cherry Valley; daughters, Linda (Larry) Jameson, Mt. Morris; Jerrine Cazy, Greenville, SC; daughter-in-law, Sherry Pitney, Rockford; grandchildren, Larinda (Nathan) Heller, John (Dania) Jameson, Jerry (Tami) Jameson, David Jameson, Joshua (Erin) Jameson, Zach (Myra) Pitney, Amber, Aimee and Marissa Cazy, Luke, Morgan, Blake, Holly, Abbey, Emily and Riley Pitney; great-grandchildren, Levi, Fayth, Jacklyn, Elijah and Ella; sister, Virginia Rawlings, Fulton, MO; brother, Dale (Peggy) Pitney, Scottsdale, AZ; sisters-in-law, Janine (Gordon) Hatcher, Grove, OK, Jean Pitney, Salida, CO. and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, his wife, Nadine, on August 26, 2008, his son Perry on June 17, 2005 and brothers, Billy and Vaughn. Gerald, a loving husband, father and grandfather, considered himself a simple country preacher and lived his life exactly that way; simply loving God and loving people. A funeral service to honor his life will be held at 11 am on Friday, August 13, 2010 in the Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W. State, with Rev. Herman Brown officiating. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation from 4-8 pm on Thursday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. and from 10 am until time of the service at the Rockford Rescue Mission on Friday. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice Care of America for the wonderful care and support that was given. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rockford Rescue Mission. Extend condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.