John Raymond Fitzgerald

John R. Fitzgerald, age 89 of Frankenstein, Mo passed away Monday, September 28, 2009 at the Westphalia Retirement Center in Westphalia.

John was born Wednesday, April 28, 1920 in Osage County, Mo, the eighth and final child of the late John and Mary ""Mamie"" (O'Dowd) Fitzgerald.

John attended school in Luystown and Linn High School for one year. He could not pass the physical for the army so he was requested to go to Kansas City to work in a defense plant. He spent the World War II years at Armco Steel and for the U.S. Post office as a mail carrier.

After the war he returned to Osage County and worked clearing a right-a-way for the REA. In the late 1940's he formed a partnership (Fitzgerald Brothers) with his brother Hugo which engaged in farming and livestock production. This partnership continued into the early 1980's.

In the off season and slack times he worked on the Missouri River, as a cattle buyer and later he worked as a guard for the State of Missouri.

While working as a guard, John met and was united in marriage to Mildred G. Abbott on April 4, 1978 in Tuscumbia, Mo. She preceded him in death on January 23, 2003. In the 25 years that John and Mildred were married they enjoyed traveling and attending country and bluegrass shows.

John was the caretaker for his mother, father and other family members who could no longer drive or take care of thier own affairs. In his later years John enjoyed attending auctions and playing cards.

Survivors include three nieces; Lucille McGrath, Judith VanVickle and Marilyn Gill, three nephews, Floyd, James and Raymond Fitzgerald. In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by five brothers, Herbert, James, Harold, Floyd and Hugo Fitzgerald and two sisters, Rosie Fitzgerald and Mary Ann Willer.

Visitation will be from 10:00am-11:00am on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Frankenstein with memorial services following at 11:00am with Fr. I.C. Medina as the Celebrant.

Inurnment will follow at the Linn Memorial Park Cemetery.