John Sitch, 79, passed to his rest on Friday December 1, 2023, after a long illness. He was born in Youngstown, OH, the son of John Luke & Sophia Roth Sitch. Mr. Sitch graduated high school from Mt. Vernon Academy in OH in 1962. He lived and worked in Canton, OH for a few years before making the decision to serve in the US Navy for the next 26 years; during which he married the former Shirley Sowell in 1969, raising their family together until 1990, following was his retirement from the Navy in 1993 as an E7 Chief Petty Officer. He continued his career briefly working for FedEx, remarried the Former Dorothy (Dot) Kallet in 1993 and for the next 19 years worked in supply with the VA hospital in Memphis, until his official retirement in 2009.
Mr. Sitch traveled the world in his career, but treasured time with his family. He was an avid collector of coins, stamps, guns, and knives among other artifacts he enjoyed collecting at shows, flea markets and bartering with friends earning him the nickname, “trader John.”
John & Dot were married 23 years until her death on August 8, 2016. Besides his wife, John was preceded in death by his parents, John (1973) and Sophia (2016), and a Sister Kathy Sitch Drumheller (2017). He leaves a wife, Jeannie (Hanrahan) whom he was married to the last few years. A son, Bret Sitch and daughter Kimberly MacLennan Sitch of Jacksonville, FL. A sister Karen Costello (Pete) of Sioux Falls, SD., a brother Mark Sitch (Lori) of Poland, OH. Two grandchildren Lori Nichole Sitch of Smiths Station, AL., Langston MacLennan, Jacksonville, FL., and two great granddaughters Alana & Aleea Vannburan of Smiths Station, AL and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Friends, may call one hour before the services at 2 PM, Friday December 8th at the Memphis FH 3700 Germantown Rd. Bartlett.