Merrill Pitlik
March 19, 1922 ~ May 17, 2015
Merrill Joseph Pitlik, 93, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Mount Vernon, died on Sunday, May 17, 2015, at Keystone Cedars, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2015, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon, by Rev. John R. Flaherty. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon (formerly Morgan's), with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Burial at a later date: St. John's Cemetery, Lisbon.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Harriet; his children, Pam (Bob) Byersdorfer of Fairbank, Greg (Joyce) Pitlik of Morton, Illinois; and Andi (Wayne Courtney) Covington of Kensington, Maryland; grandchildren, Larry (Tracy) Covington of Marion; Blake (Sarah) Covington of Mount Vernon, Adam (Amanda) Byersdorfer of Story City, Ben (Ann) Byersdorfer of Cedar Falls, Caleb (Rosanna) Byersdorfer of North Liberty, Meredith (Michael) Torres of Chicago, Illinois, and Tyler Pitlik of Peoria, Illinois; and great grandchildren, Quentin, Olivia, Michael, Mitchell, and Faith Covington, Evan, Braden, Jacob, and Isle Byersdorfer, and Kate Torres. He is also survived by in-laws, John and Audrey Ruby, Pat Morse, and Shirley Ruby; and many nieces and nephews.
Merrill was born March 19, 1922, on a farm near Mount Vernon to Ed and Hazel Pitlik. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School and served in the US Navy for four years during World War II. He was married to Harriet Ruby on January 10, 1948, at St. John's Church in Lisbon.
He was employed by the US Postal Service in Mount Vernon and later in Cedar Rapids. Merrill was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Solon American Legion, and the Mount Vernon VFW. In retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at Mercy Medical Center for a number of years.
Merrill was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eddie; and sister-in-law, Kathleen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Hospice of Mercy, or charity of the donor's choice
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To the entire Pitlik family, our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to you in the loss of your loved one, Merrill. May God’s loving arms surround you and give you the peace and understanding that only our Lord can do. I, LaDonna worked with Merrill at Mercy Surgery Center. What a joy he was to work with. Always having a smile and willing to help in any way, and so kind and thoughtful to everyone. It has been a pleasure to have know him.
To all of the Pitlik family,
My sincere sympathy. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Merrill was truly a gentleman, I will always remember how soft spoken he was and his easy smile….I used to see he and Harriett at Hardees a lot, solving the world problems. He has left a world of memories for you all to share and remember.
Sorry I can’t be with you today to give hugs, but you are in my thoughts at this difficult time.
Annamae Baker
I have lovely memories of “Mr. Pitlik” from the time I was four years old and had play dates (OK, we didn’t call them that back then) with Andi. It was always so much fun to hang at their house, and he was like a second dad to me. So life went full circle when I found out Andi’s folks were living at the same independent living place my parents had moved to. After so many years of not seeing them, I looked forward to checking the Keystone dining room during my visits there to see if they were hanging out and I could say hi. I am so sorry he is gone — he will be missed.
Joan Suchomel
My sympathy to you, Harriet, and your whole family in the loss of Merrill. I will miss his smile and visiting with him every Wednesday. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Ann Freeze (& Miley)
Greg and family, I am very sorry to read of Mr. Pitlik’s passing. He was a gracious man and always took the time to speak with everyone he met.. It is always difficult to lose a parent but I’m certain you have many fond memories of him. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My sympathies go to the Pitlik family. When we were at the Ward School, I would go to the Pitlik home to hang out with Pam at different times. Both of her parents were really nice, but the part about Mr. Pitlik being a gracious man and a great smile, I would completely agree with. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.