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Fitkin, Max R.
Max R. Fitkin, 93, of West Branch, passed away Thursday, May 27, 2010, at Mercy Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, Cedar Rapids. Interment will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Oxford. Friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include his three daughters, Carolynn (George) Campbell of Anamosa, Charlene Stratton of Iowa City and Catherine (Jeff) Krouse of Fairfax; eight grandchildren, Kelly Wesley, Kristine May, Thomas and Kimberly Campbell, Michelle Klostermann, Michael and Mark Stratton, and Parker Krouse; 18 great-grandchildren: and a close friend, Rusty Tang.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine; parents; two sisters; and four brothers.
Max was born Feb. 2, 1917, in Janesville, Iowa, the son of Thomas and Rhoda (Perkins) Fitkin. He married Dorothy “Maxine” Thomas on April 19, 1941, in Kirksville, Mo. Maxine preceded Max in death on April 22, 1986. When Max was 9 years old he started working in the grocery business. In 1950, Max and his wife, Maxine, bought their first grocery store in Monticello, managing the store until 1958. After selling their first grocery store Max and Maxine would purchase their second grocery store in 1959 - Fitkin's Royal Blue in Oxford, Iowa. After selling their second store, Max went on to work for Randall's in Iowa City and Mel's Holiday Foods in North Liberty. Most recently he worked for Casey's General Store in West Branch. Max always believed in hard work and showed this everyday of his life.
Max was a past president of the Oxford Chamber of Commerce and was a volunteer on the Monticello and Oxford fire departments for many years. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, working, taking his girls shopping, and spending time with his family and friends.
The Fitkin family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Champion, the staff at Mercy Iowa City, and Iowa City Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
Online condolences may be left at under obituaries.
Arrangements are being handled by Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, 4200 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids.
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