NORTH MANCHESTER – DeWayne L. Fitch, 78, of North Manchester, died at 8:31 p.m. April 23, 2013, in Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. He was born April 26, 1934, in Polk Township, Huntington County, to Carl L. Fitch and Berneice M. Garber, who died. On June 15, 1979, he married Bette L. Rosen Bechtold, who survives. For 27 years he had worked at Con-Agri Fertilizer, Huntington, two of those years as manager. Later, he was a salesman with Wible’s Shoe Store, North Manchester, for four years. He had been a crossing guard for Manchester Community Schools from 1997 to 2007 and custodian for Congregational Christian Church from 1999 to 2006. She was a member of Congregational Christian Church, North Manchester. He graduated from Andrews High School in 1952. He was a past member of I.O.O.F., Andrews. Also surviving are three sons, Timothy L. (and spouse Cindy) Fitch, Warren, Edwin J. (and spouse Lori) Fitch, Urbana, and Bret J. (and spouse Michelle) Bechtold, North Manchester; three daughters, Pamela S. Taylor, Indianapolis, Jane E. (and spouse Michael) Clark and Beth R. (and spouse David) Wampler, all of North Manchester; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother; and a sister. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Congregational Christian Church, North Manchester, with pastors J.P. Freeman and Sebrena Cline officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Servia. Calling is from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, and one hour prior to services Sunday at the church. ***** Memorials may be made to Congregational Christian Church, 310 N. Walnut St., North Manchester, IN 46962 or American Heart Association, 6100 W. 96th St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46278-6005. Condolences may be sent via mckeemortuary.com
