David Pitz

David Anthony Pitz, the son of Wilbert Raphael and Marie Justine (Recker) Pitz, was born Oct. 7, 1937, in Epworth, Iowa. He graduated from Epworth Senior High School with the class of 1956 then went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in teaching from the Iowa State Teacher’s College.

In 1960, Dave married Jane Andrews. To this union four children were born, Daniel, Deanne, Donna and Debra. Dave was a Government and Sociology teacher. He retired from the Johnston High School in 1995, after 35 years in Education.

On June 27, 1992, Dave was united in marriage with Bonita Anne Malecek Sankot in Des Moines. Dave was very witty and seemed to have a pun ready for any occasion. He enjoyed traveling, baseball, the Cubs, biking, and coaching. Dave attended every family event in Iowa and many out of state. He was a member of the Ankeny Jaycees, Iowa State Education Association, Newton Noon Kiwanis; Jasper County League of Women Voters, OPEN Board, and Alcoholics Anonymous. Dave had recently celebrated 33 years of sobriety.

Dave died on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 77 years old. Dave was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Tim Bazis; a brother, Billy Pitz and a sister in infancy, Betty Jo Pitz and his faithful companion, Fritz.

Those left to honor Dave’s memory include his wife Bonnie, children: Dan Pitz of West Des Moines, Deanne Bazis of Boone, Donna (Jeff) Trott of Urbandale, Debi (Todd) Michel of Johnston; his ten grandchildren; his step children, Dennis (Julayne) Sankot, Betsy Schwenn, Richard (Carla) Sankot; his eight step grandchildren; his brothers and sisters, Bob (Dorothy) Pitz of Epworth, Ron (Janet) Pitz of Peosta, LuAnn (Bill) Spiegel of Epworth, Steve (Judy) Pitz of Cascade, Karen Wendt of Manchester, Mary (Mark) Brown of Charlottesville, Va., Deby (Jeff) Oberfoell of Herst, Texas; his many nieces and nephews.

Services for Dave will be 10 a.m., Saturday, March 28 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton. The family will greet friends Friday evening, March 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Pence Reese Funeral Home. A Public Vigil service will begin at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be designated to the family, the Newton Salvation Army, OPEN-Newton or Jasper County League of Women Voters.