Dr. John Chittick, D.V.M.

DR. JOHN CHITTICK, D.V.M.

Monticello

Dr. John Chittick, D.V.M., 73, died Wednesday evening, May 4, 2016, at his home following an extended illness. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, at United Church of Monticello, with interment in Oakwood Cemetery. Pastor Jean Sullivan will officiate. A luncheon will follow the interment. Friends may call on May 9 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife, Mary; three children, Carmen (David) Netten of Woodbury, Minn., Beth (Stuart) Anderson of Homewood, Ill., and John Michael Chittick of Bakersfield, Vt.; son-in-law, Robert Waste of Cedar Rapids; eight grandchildren, Lauren (Brandon) Schlueter of Broken Arrow, Okla., Thomas Waste (fiancee, Karson Kretschmar) of Seattle, Wash., Sarah Waste of Ames, Anna Dierking of Madison, Wis., Megan Dierking of Woodbury, Minn., Ian Anderson of Homewood, Ill., Cole Anderson of Homewood, Ill., and Opal Chittick of Bakersfield, Vt.; two stepgrandchildren, Zachary Netten and Graham Netten, both of Woodbury, Minn.; two sisters, Jane (Don) Morken of Spring Grove, Minn., and Ann (Mike) Fox of Mabel, Minn.; and two brothers, Dr. Richard (Nancy) Chittick of Tipton and Dave (Christine) Chittick of Georgetown, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Dr. Christine Waste; and his mother- and father-in-law.

John William Chittick was born May 29, 1942, in Los Angeles, Calif., the son of Harley and Edna (Young) Chittick. He graduated from Clinton Central High School in Michigantown, Ind. John married his high school sweetheart, Mary Marcum, on Aug, 17, 1962, at the Methodist Church in Michigantown, Ind.

John, an inspired man who stressed the importance of a higher education to his children and grandchildren, continued his undergraduate and graduate education at Purdue University.

John, a member of the College of Veterinary Medicine's Phi Zeta National Honor Society, graduated second in his class from Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine and was awarded the Outstanding Senior Award in Purdue College of Agriculture. After receiving his D.V.M., the National Institute of Health awarded John a grant to conduct specialized research and work on his Ph.D. at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. John then practiced at Marsh Animal Hospital in Princeton, Ill., before starting Monticello Veterinary Clinic in 1968. He dearly loved the practice of veterinary medicine, where his clients also were his friends.

John always was thankful for the opportunity to serve his clients and for the trust they placed in him.

Health issues forced John to retire in 2001.

John had been a member of the Monticello school board, serving as both board member and board president. He also served on the Triangle Bank Board and was inducted into the Jones County Cattleman Hall of Fame. John was also a member of the United Church of Monticello. Professional affiliations include American Quarter Horse Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, Eastern Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Swine Practitioners and American Association of Bovine Practitioners.

John's love for nature and for adventure never diminished throughout his life. Some his fondest adventures included fishing trips with his father and brother to Canada, where, in later years, his son, Michael, and nephew accompanied them. He owned and raised purebred quarter horses and enjoyed watching them romp in the fields. He loved boating on the Mississippi River, bow-hunting bears in Canada, and his wild adventures and mishaps in enduro racing.

John never lost his sense of humor, his wit, or his endearing way of poking fun at life.

John was an incredible husband, father and grandfather who loved nothing more than the times spent with his family gathered around.

He will be dearly missed.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be sent to United Church of Monticello or John Chittick Memorial for charity.

The family would like to thank all those providing care and support, especially the dedicated aides and friends at Above and Beyond Home Health and Hospice.