Eugene Robert "Gene" Pitcher

    Eugene Robert "Gene" Pitcher, age 91, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Monday, September 26, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family.

     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 29, 2022, with Pastor Matt Beery officiating. Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 11:00 A.M until the time of the service at the funeral home.

     Eugene was born in Bad Axe, Michigan on March 23, 1931, the son of Garnet and Hazel (Pitcher) Pitcher. He graduated from Bad Axe High School with the class of 1949. He married Pauline Temple on August 6, 1952 in Bad Axe, MI. They were blessed with 69 years of marriage prior to her passing on February 3, 2022.

     He was a longtime resident of Ithaca. Gene retired from the Michigan State Police in 1981, then worked as the attendance officer for Gratiot Isabella Intermediate School District, and retired from there in 1991.  Gene was an avid golfer and shot a hole in one at The Gratiot Country Club where he was also a member. He also enjoyed bowling, hunting and took pride in maintaining his yard. Gene had a cider press and loved picking apples on his property with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and making homemade apple cider. Gene and Pat attended the Ithaca Baptist Church for many years. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. 

     He is survived by his son Jerald and Elaine Pitcher of Ithaca, MI;

daughter Susan Thibodeaux of Houston, TX; three grandchildren: Nickolas and Tina Pitcher of St. Louis, MI; Marc and Amanda Pitcher of Ithaca, MI; Kristyn and Mahan Mawadj of Las Vegas, NV; and five great-grandchildren: Garison, Preston, Ethan, Madison, and Myah.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son-in-law Michael Thibodeaux, and his sister Ardith and Don Ramsey.

     Memorials may be made to Ithaca Baptist Church, 221 Norton Gibbs Drive Ithaca, MI 48847 or Thompson Home Library. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.