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Rev. C. A. Kitch Succumbs Tuesday
The Rev. Charles A. Kitch, 80, of 1421 E. 5th, retired Methodist minister,
died Tuesday at 10:35 a.m. at Newton Memorial hospital where he had been a
patient since Oct. 26. He had been in failing health for several years.
Mr. Kitch, a long time resident of Kansas was the son of
pioneers. He was born in Shelbyville, Ill., July 5, 1875, and was 11 years old
when his parents made the trip to Kansas with a caravan of covered wagons. The
Kitches drove two wagons in the procession of schooners of their neighbors and
friends. Charles Kitch drove one of the wagons.
They landed in Kansas, Nov. 3, 1886, and located about 25
miles from Larned, near Bison. They had a one-room sod house and at the side
pitched a tent, which served as a bedroom. At the age of 14 he attended a
revival meeting and joined the Methodist church. He was an Epworth League leader
and taught a Sunday school class. In 1896, with $27.50 in his pocket, he came to
Winfield and entered the sub-academy at Southwestern college. He was interested
in college athletics, especially football and baseball, and at times served as
manager of teams. He won city championship in tennis in 1902.
He graduated from Southwestern college with the class of 1903
and the same year he was married to Anna Gertrude Haun. He received his license
to preach when he was 18, and prior to his pastorate at First Church in
Winfield, where he served from 1936 to 1944, when he retired, he had held
pastorates at Kiowa, Marion, Larned, Wichita, El Dorado and Great Bend. He
retired Oct. 1, 1944, but afterwards he preached at Dexter, Mayfield, Geuda
Springs and Grand View. He served as superintendent of the Winfield district for
six years. Since retiring he had been associated with his son Bob in farming
southwest of Winfield.
Surviving are his wife of the home’ five sons, Don of
Sacramento, Calif., Kenneth of San Luis Obispo, Calif., Charles of Los Angeles,
Paul of Wichita, and Bob of rural Winfield; one brother, Sam Kitch of Rocky
Ford, Colo.; one sister, Mrs. Clara Garrison of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Morris Funeral home. |