Poplar Grove, ILMilo J. Pitkin, Jr.Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer on May 20, 2012, Milo James Pitkin announced that he was looking forward to joining a heavenly choir, and singing in a men's quartet. He then began using the last two months of his life as he'd lived the previous 76 years, contacting family and friends, making plans for the future welfare of his family, and generally organizing his earthly affairs. He had no doubt that his eternal affairs were in order. He passed into that eternal life the afternoon of July 18, 2012, at home surrounded by family and friends, and assisted by OSF Hospice.Milo was born in Forest City, Iowa, January 16, 1936, to a family whose history is that of pioneer homesteaders—predeceased by father Milo James Pitkin, Sr., mother Lucille Marie (Bonar) Pitkin, and sister, Beverly (Dean) Krieger.With a BA in Business from Drake University, Milo excelled as an entrepreneur, founding the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, Int'l; (FMA), published the trade journal The Fabricator; was a founder of FABTECH, North America's largest metal fabricating event and pioneered new technologies in ergonomic office equipment, welding automation and meat processing equipment.His life motto was "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul and your neighbor as yourself." This motto influenced his actions in business and in his community. One of the accomplishment of which he was most proud was his groundwork in prisoner rehabilitation, conducting the first jobs training seminar at Attica state prison following the historic prison riot in 1971.During his years in Illinois he worshiped and developed many friendships at Temple Baptist Church, Rockford; Westminster Presbyterian Church, Rockford; and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Belvidere. Having studied vocal music, singing tenor in the Waldorf College Choir, Forest City, Iowa, he continued to sing in church choirs. He also served his church and community as a Stephen Minister; served on the task force to develop the Immanuel Lutheran North congregation; past member of Cherry Valley Rotary; president of Knolls of Boone Home Association; and held various leadership roles in the Poplar Grove community.He is survived by his wife, Deloris (Dahle) Shipman Pitkin and her son R.A.E. Shipman (Stephanie); son Stephen Milo (Susan) Pitkin, daughters Susan Pitkin Contrady and Shelly Pitkin (Mike) Ford; and their mother, Carol (Kline) Pitkin Ford. Grandchildren Jennifer Nethery (Jason) Zachary, Joe Nethery, David (Stephanie) Nethery; Jack (Theresa) Nethery; Kathryn Foster, Annette and Sam Contrady, Sophia and Roland Shipman; great-grandchildren Parker Zachary and Connor Nethery; sister Sheryl (Ralph) Johnson of Forest City, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials to: Immanuel Lutheran Church North.