Lewis E. Fitch, better known as "Bud" to his family and friends, was born December 5, 1923, to Harvey and Mary Jane (Bodkin) Fitch at Milesville, South Dakota.

He grew up and received his education in the Milesville community.  As a young man he worked as a ranch hand in that area.

Bud served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the U.S.S. Nashville.  After his discharge he returned to the Milesville area.  He purchased a truck and started the Fitch Trucking Business.

Bud was united in marriage to Dorothy B. Hansen on October 16, 1948, at Rapid City.  They made their home in Philip where they continued to own and operate a trucking business all their married life.  They trucked locally as well as long distance.

After Dorothy's death on January 5, 1991, Bud continued to operate the trucking business until retiring on February 1, 1993.

Bud was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Wheeler-Brooks American Legion Post #173, both of Philip.

Grateful for having shared his life are his three daughters: Diane Fitch, Marianne Frein and her husband, Lloyd, and Jill Alfaro and her husband, Juan, all of Philip; six grandchildren: Tadd, Vance, Patrick, Mikal and Ian Moriarty, and Dorothy Ann Alfaro, all of Philip; two step-grandchildren, Laura and Jacob Frein, both of Philip; one brother, Ed Fitch of Milesville; three sisters, Jane Hovland of Rapid City, Dorothy Nesberg of Madison, Wisconsin, and Ella Hart of Philip; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife, Dorothy, Bud was preceded in death by his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial
Saturday, September 25, 1993
10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

Celebrant
Father Arnold Kari

Con-Celebrant
Father Mark McCormick

Music
JoAnne Stilwell - Organist
Maureen Palecek - Vocalist

Ushers
Boyd Parsons, Jr. - Byron Parsons

Active Pallbearers
Bob Coyle - Boyd Parsons, Sr.
Tom Fitzgerald - Mike Gebes
Bart Parsons - Paul Elshere
Virgil Horton - Tommy Hickman

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment with Military Honors
by the Wheeler-Brooks
American Legion Post #173
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota