Paul Martin Pitstick

Paul M. Pitstick, age 102, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. He was born on December 13, 1922, to Paul Frank and Clara Marie Pitstick in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

After graduating from high school, Paul attended General Motors Institute. His studies were interrupted after two years, when he enlisted in the Army Air Forces for WWII. He served in Italy as a bombsite technician and was promoted to the rank of Technical Sergeant. While there, he met and became devoted to St. Padre Pio.

Paul married Mary F. Smith on February 15, 1947, in Junction City, Ohio. He began farming and with innovative production methods turned the Pitstick Pork Farm into one of the largest pork farms in southwestern Ohio. He always found time to take his family on summer vacations for fishing, swimming, and camping. After retiring from farming, Paul enjoyed beekeeping and honey production. He and his wife also travelled to Europe, the Middle East and Mexico for pilgrimages to Catholic sites and to see other attractions. His spiritual devotions included attending daily Mass, leading home bible studies, service in the Legion of Mary, taking communion to the homebound, and memberships in the Knights of Columbus and the Incarnate Word Community.

In addition to his parents, Paul is preceded in death by, four brothers: Carl (Gloria), Gerald, Roger (Peggy), and Eugene (Edna); three sisters: Mary (Rudy) Singhoffer, Angie (John) Cimprich, and Irene (Joseph) Oberst; and sister-in-law, Eloise. He is survived by his loving wife of 78 years, Mary F. (Smith) Pitstick; one brother, George; sister-in-law, Betty; his children: Thomas (Lynne), Paula (Steven) Kirklin, Joseph (Elizabeth), Andrew, Mary (Stephen) Hess, James (Barbara), and Fr. Martin; 19 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Dayton Right to Life or Elizabeth New Life Center, in Paul's honor.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Monday, November 3, 2025, at the Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, 422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd., Fairborn, OH, 45324. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Mary Help of Christians Church, 954 North Maple Avenue, Fairborn, OH 45324. The family will receive visitors from 9:00 AM until the time of service. Fr. Jason Bedel will preside with Fr. Martin Pitstick concelebrating. Burial with military honors to follow, St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery, Yellow Springs, OH. Digital condolences may be made to the family below.