Ellen S. Fitting

SAYBROOK — Ellen S. Fitting, age 94, of Lake Road West, Saybrook Township, Ohio, owner of Fitting’s Trailer Park since 1946, died Monday afternoon, Oct. 22, 2007, at her residence following a long illness.She was born Jan. 9, 1913 in Ashtabula, the daughter of Oscar and Maria (Unkuri) Luoma and has been a resident of Ashtabula all of her life. Ellen was a 1932 graduate of Harbor High School, where she excelled in numerous sports. She earned metals in basketball, discus, high jump and cross country. No task in life was too difficult and although she was often a tough taskmaster, she never asked anyone to do anything that she wasn’t willing to do herself. She chose difficult tasks throughout her lifetime and always gave each one the best of her abilities. She and her husband, Floyd Fitting, purchased the “Moran Bicycle Track” on Lake Road with partners, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lindberg in 1946. When the partnership dissolved and Floyd died in 1948, Ellen continued operating the business. In the early 50’s, the property became a popular summer campground resort and has continued as a seasonal trailer park to present time.While raising her two young children alone, Ellen worked at various jobs while also operating the campground. She was the first female meter reader for the Ashtabula Water Co. in 1940. She also worked for Ashtabula Rubber Co.; Nystrom Dry Cleaners; and Martell Cleaners, where she delivered dry cleaning for 14 years. In 1967, she married Archie Gilletly and helped him in his restaurant business, “Gilletly’s Restaurant” in Saybrook. In the early 80’s, she began working for her son at “Fitting’s Super Duper” in charge of the produce department and continued this occupation until the mid 1990’s.In addition to hard work, Ellen enjoyed reading, traveling, visiting with her campers, and spending time with her family. Survivors include two children, Joanne L. Carpenter and Charles Fred Fitting, both of Saybrook Township; 10 grandchildren, Scott A. Carpenter of Saybrook Township, Cheryl A. Loewinger of Independence, Leslie E. Henderson of Ashtabula, Julie N. Post of Saybrook Township, Randall T. Carpenter of Saybrook Township, Connie L. Carpenter of Westlake, Kim S. Larko of N. Kingsville, Gary F. Fitting of Crossville, Tenn., Karen D. Seier and Christine R. Fitting, both of Ashtabula; 12 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Floyd B. Fitting in 1948 and Archie Gilletly in 1993; brother, John Luoma and a brother in infancy; and three sisters, Senia Jarvi, Mary Karhulahti and Martha Luoma.Funeral Services will be held 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007, at the Jefferson Home of the Fleming and Billman Funeral Directors, INC., 49 W. Jefferson St., Jefferson, with Jerry Dunalchak, Hospice Chaplin, officiating. Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery.Calling Hours will be held today, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Funeral Home.Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Western Reserve, 1166 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 or to the Saybrook Township Trustees Rescue Fund, 7247 Center Road, Ashtabula, Ohio 44004, envelopes will also be at the Funeral Home.Guest book and obituary on-line at fleming-billman.com.