Edgar Pitts, 71, of Sweet Home passed away Wednesday at his home. He was born January 11, 1941 in Denver, CO, son of George A. and Leta Mae (Hand) Pitts. His early years were spent in Kansas. He moved to Crawfordsville in early his teens and attended local schools before entering the US Army.

Ed married Ila Jeanne Withrow June 24, 1961 in Sweet Home. Ed married JoAnne Lutton January 12 of this year after they had been together over ten years.

He worked for several mills including Champion Plywood and Stone Forestry. He was a certified journeymen welder and worked for Oremet , H&R Failing and did maintenance at the Target Warehouse.

Ed’s favorite activity was catfishing at the Snake River and fishing anywhere else, for that matter. He enjoyed hunting, welding, making things, and garage sales. He saved everything.

Survivors include: his wife, JoAnne; daughters, DeAnna (Alan) Birdsall of Bellingham, WA and Ronda (Ted) Deibele of Milton Freewater, OR; sons, Ed (Dorrie) Pitts, Jr., of Lebanon, Thomas Pitts, II, Greg (LeAnna) Pitts and Garry (Brezy) Pitts, all of Sweet Home, and Brad (Debbie) Pitts of Lebanon; brothers, Thomas Pitts of Sweet Home and Steve Pitts of Lebanon; sister, Peggy Dain of Crawfordsville; 22 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Ed was preceded in death by: his grandson, Ryan Lee William Pitts; his great grandson, Alexander Joseph Gray; his parents; and his sister, Patricia Johnson.

A public viewing will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Friday July 6, 2012 at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel with committal to follow at Crawfordsville Union Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.