Ferdinand "Ferd" Litsch

Ferdinand (Ferd) Emil Litsch of West Frankfort, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 12, 2014 at 3:15a.m. at Stonebridge Senior LivingCenter in Benton, Illinois.

He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 5, 1920, the son of Ferdinand and Mathilda (Schmitt) Litsch. He attended schools in St. Louis and graduated from St. Agnes Business School.

He was united in marriage to Bertha Venoski from Zeigler, Illinois on September 1, 1941 and together they shared 73 years of marriage.

Ferd answered the call of this nation by enlisting into the U.S. Navy in May of 1944. He was assigned to LST 587 as ship's cook, second class SV-6 and served in the Pacific arena. His medals include Asiatic Pacific (2 stars), Philippine liberation, American Area, and Victory Medal.

After his discharge from the navy, Ferd found employment in St. Louis but later moved his family to southern Illinois where he raised his three daughters. He was a merchant and managed the Illinois Brokerage Store and the P.N. Hirsch Store in West Frankfort before opening his own business, The Shoe Tree. He was also involved in sales for various businesses, and served the city clerk in West Frankfort under Mayor Jack Woolard.

Ferd enjoyed life and involved himself in golfing, fishing, archery, camping, boating, and traveling. He was an artist, along with his wife Bert, and taught classes in oil painting. Together, they ran an art gallery in the lower level of their home.

He is survived by his wife, Bertha; two daughters, Marilyn Arnett of West Frankfort and Karen (David) Moore of Benton; nine grandchildren: Greg Darby of West Frankfort, Erika (Rich) Phillips of Plainfield, Natalie Hayes of Marietta, Georgia, Joshua Pulfrey (Shannon) of Elgin, South Carolina, Luke (Sarah) Moore and Jesse (Savanah) Moore of St. Louis, Missouri, Grace (Brent) Fernandez of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Micah Moore of Carbondale, Hannah Moore of Benton; six great grandchildren: Jennifer (Chris) Kays of Benton, Ashley Taylor, Alex Taylor, and Ian Phillips of Plainfield, Saxon Taylor of Marietta, Georgia, Bruce Moore of St. Louis; one step-grandchild Terra (Charlton) Bryan of Mt. Vernon; a sister, Gerry Jansen of St. Louis, Missouri; son-in-law, Robert Pulfrey of Benton; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Christine Pulfrey; and grandson, Michael Darby.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at Union Funeral Home – West Frankfort, Illinois with Pastor Doyle Mills officiating. Visitation will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 from 9:00-11:00a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Tower Heights Cemetery – West Frankfort, Illinois.

Online condolences of sympathy may be made at www.unionfh.com.