Obituary of Atwood Pitcher

Clark Atwood Pitcher, Jr. (Atwood) age 92, went home to be with his Lord on January 18, 2022. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was born at home in Zion, Il. on February 26, 1929, and lived most of his life in Zion. He was a lifelong member of Christian Catholic Church, now Christ Community Church. His parents and grandparents came to Zion because they had heard it was to be a city of God. Atwood was very active at CCC, serving on the Board of Trustees as well as ushering for both Church and Zion Passion Play for many years. While growing up Atwood loved to play baseball at Shiloh Park with his friends. He played baseball all four years at Zion Benton High School. His friends teased, “Pitcher is the catcher!” He also loved to go over to his Grandfather Pitcher’s house and help him in his garden. This carried over into a life long love of his own garden. The summer before his Sophomore year of High School Atwood met the love of his life, Beverly Wolf. She was a year behind him in school and he thought she was pretty cute. They dated all through high school and were married in his Senior year of college, on March 24,1951. In High School Atwood worked for the church at the Zion Hotel. In the summers of his Jr and Sr years he worked for the hospital at Great Lakes Naval Station. The summer after graduating High School he worked at American Motors and was impressed that he had to join the auto union. Atwood attended the University of Illinois his freshman and sophomore years. To be closer to Beverly, he then transferred to and graduated from Lake Forest College with a degree in Business Administration. He sold Real Estate for D. F. Knox before joining the Air Force. While in the Air Force Atwood was stationed in Saudi Arabia and was blessed to travel to The Holy Land. After four years in the Air Force, he came back to Zion and sold Real Estate as well as Insurance for Farley-LaBelle, then Kip LaBelle, eventually buying the business from him. Pitcher-LaBelle Agency became Pitcher Agency. Atwood was very active in the PIA, Professional Insurance Agents of Illinois. Atwood loved to play tennis and while a member of the Jr. Chamber of Commerce, coached a team of Jr. Jaycees all the way to the State Tournament. He was also a member of the Zion Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed golf and was so happy when any part of his family could spend time on the golf course with him. Living across the street from the 7th hole of Shiloh Park Golf Course provided a beautiful view, and entertainment, as well as lots of free golf balls from some not so good golfers. Atwood’s favorite sport however, was fishing, but not just anywhere, beautiful Rainy Lake in International Falls Minnesota. Much of the year was filled with plans for the next summer’s trip. Even if the walleye weren’t biting, he so enjoyed spending time there with family, and with his good friends, Ted and Marcia Otterbacher. Atwood is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Beverly (Wolf) Pitcher, his five children, daughter, Kathy (Sherwin) Rankin and their children, Suzanne (Dan) Stanford, grandchildren Caleb, Connor and Colton Stanford and Ellyssa (Alex) Castillo, grandchildren Teddy and Benjamin Castillo; son, Ron Pitcher and his children, Michael, David and Emily; son, Ken (Denise) Pitcher and their children, Tanner and Spencer; daughter, Sheri (Craig) Gatto and their son, Tyler; and son, Larry Pitcher. Also surviving him is his brother Jim (Jeanne) Pitcher, as well as many, much loved, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Clark and Violet Pitcher, as well as his brother, Don (June) Pitcher and sister, Lila (Bob) Lehman. The family would like to thank Patty Gutierrez for her loving care over the last year and a half. You were a tremendous blessing to him. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 28, 2022 from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastors Dan Stanford and Mike McDowell, officiating. The funeral will be live streamed at congdonfuneralhome.com and available to be viewed later as well. In consideration of Beverly, and others who are vulnerable, please stay home if you have symptoms of any kind, and plan to wear a mask if you attend. We appreciate all of your prayers and support but also ask that you refrain from any close contact. Thank you. If you wish to give a memorial gift the family has asked that you donate to Camp Zion c/o Christ Community Church.