Tony was born and raised in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was an only child. He was the son of immigrants from an area near either Austria or Czechoslavakia, which his parents simply referred to as the “Old Country”. His father was a coal miner until suffering from Black Lung Disease, then operated a gas station and motel, and eventually worked at the local college which evolved into Pittsburg State University.
Tony attempted working as a farmer, worked for a short stint on the famous Big Brutus, and decided to become a dentist. Following his graduation from Pittsburg High School, he became the youngest dental student in his class when he started dental college at UMKC at the age of 18. He was the first person in his family to attend college.
Tony met the love of his life, JoAnn, on a blind date while at dental college, and got married shortly thereafter. They shared their joyous life together until JoAnn’s passing in 1999. Their journey together included Tony being drafted by the Navy where he became a Navy Lieutenant Commander stationed in Hawaii and later working in Oakland, California, and becoming parents to three amazing children. Due to wanting to be near his family, a decision was made to relocate to Wichita where he started his new dental practice. Tony’s practice grew to one of the largest practices in Kansas and he was known for helping lower income patients, and at one point earned the label of “Medicaid King” as a dentist. This practice continued for 45 years, until his retirement in 2000.
Tony was very social and became a Mason joining the Albert Pike Lodge and also became a Shriner where he was a lifetime member and had received his 60 year pin in recent years. He was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church where he made many wonderful lifelong friends. He was an animal lover and shared that special bond with many well-loved and well-fed pets over the years, especially Jazzy and Snoopy.
Tony had two real hobbies - he loved to fish, especially on his yearly vacations to Taneycomo Lake in Branson, Missouri and he loved to hunt.
Tony loved people in general and made many strong relationships over the years. His friends called him dad, brother, or other endearing terms. After JoAnn’s passing, he spent many years sharing time with his late “Greek brother” Steve Anthimedes and became true brothers who loved to share a toast. He adored his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them.
Tony loved life, and lived it fully, and he did it his way.
Tony is survived by his son Brad Pistotnik; daughter Tammy Pistotnik Collins (Mark); son Brian Pistotnik (Debbie); grandchildren Kevin Pistotnik, Lauren Ewertz (Mark), John Pistotnik, Kyndal Pistotnik, Joanna Pistotnik; and great grandchild Brody Ewertz, and step-great grandchildren Kyndal and Koen Ewertz.
Tony was preceded in death by his wife JoAnn Pistotnik, and his parents Tony and Ann Pistotnik.
A private family service will be held at Lakeview Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Tony's memory may be made to Midian Shrine Center- Plane of Mercy, 130 Topeka St, Wichita, Kansas 67202 US, https://www.midianshrine.org/; and Wichita Animal Action League, PO Box 21401, Wichita, Kansas 67208 US, https://waalrescue.org/donate/.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MyLakeviewFuneralHome.com for the Pistotnik family.
