John B. Gittings

John B. Gittings, age 86, passed away on Tuesday, September 3, 2013, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center. He was born on July 24, 1927, in Racine to the late William and Carolyn (Nee: Dunlap) Gittings.

John graduated from University of Wisconsin where he was the coxswain on the rowing crew and played 150-pound Big Ten football. He proudly served in United States Navy from 1945-1946 where he was a captain of a PT boat. On July 24, 1952, he married Jane Reardon, who preceded him in death on August 5, 2009. John was Executive Vice President at Gold Medal, the Gittings family-owned company that developed and manufactured the original directors chair.

John was actively involved with fundraising for the community of Racine and served on several boards, including Prairie School, Advertising Club of Racine, Racine Zoological Society, American Chapter Red Cross, and University of Wisconsin Rowing Assoc. John had a love of sports including golf, tennis, fishing and hunting.

He is survived by his children, Susan (Gus) Ernst of Elkhart Lake, WI, Richard (Marjorie) Gittings of Palm City, FL, Carolyn (William) Edwards of Orinda, CA; his grandchildren, Jonathan Ernst, Richard Gittings and Nicole Gittings; sisters-in-law, Theo Gittings of Racine, Mary Gittings of San Francisco, CA; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many dear friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by his brothers, William and Robert.

A Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Ave., on Saturday, September 14, 2013, at 3 p. m. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Saturday from 1:30 p.m. until the time of service at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to The Prairie School have been suggested.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine   (262) 634-7888