Lowell Fitch

Lowell Fitch, beloved patriarch of the Fitch Family, passed away on Sept. 15 at the age of 88. Lowell has returned to the love of his life, his wife Betty, who preceded him in death in 2017.

Lowell was born on May 5, 1938, in Toledo, OH to Loren and Clara Fitch. He pitched in with the family farm from an early age and attended Grand Rapids High School, where he was introduced to Betty Austin, a student at Anthony Wayne High School who needed a date to the fall formal. It took three separate visits before Betty's mother Hazel said she was around, but that introduction changed both of their lives, with Lowell and Betty falling in love. After graduating valedictorian of the class of 1956, Lowell had a decision to make. He had his pick of colleges he could attend, or he could stay and work on the family farm. For Lowell, it was an easy choice. He wanted to support his family and put his full efforts into the farm. That proved to be the right call, and it would be emblematic of every decision Lowell would go on to make. Hard work and family were the two biggest tenets of Lowell's life.

Lowell and Betty got married on Sept. 7, 1957, and would go on to have three boys, Mark, Gary and Terry, whom they would love for the rest of their lives. With Lowell's indomitable work ethic and Betty covering the books, the two grew their farm and bought their family home to raise their kids and run their farming business out of. They were longtime members of the Farm Bureau, and Lowell was a proud supporter of the American Legion. Lowell farmed for nearly 80 years, being joined during the last 50 by his oldest son Mark, and together, they oversaw hundreds of acres, farming crops, tiling fields, digging ditches, baling hay and everything in between. As great a farmer as he was, Lowell was an even better man. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved his family members fiercely, and was always available when they needed help. Everyone knew that if something broke down, if they got stuck somewhere, needed help building something, or just generally needed some help figuring something out, he was the guy to call. His grandkids knew if they ever saw the combine in the fields, they could count on a free ride once they hailed him down, and that he was the guy to go to when grandma said they couldn't have any more ice cream. Lowell worked his butt off to provide for his family and to ensure his and Betty's home was always open to his loved ones. Despite not being a huge wrestling fan himself, he purchased every wrestling pay-per-view so his grandkids could watch them together. He also made sure Christmas was magical for his grandkids, who fondly remember walking into his living room to find half of it filled with presents. When he wasn't working the farm, he could usually be found outside riding something, whether it was his Harley-Davidson, lawn mower, a snowmobile or clearing snowy driveways with his backhoe.

Lowell will forever be cherished and missed by: sons Mark (Julie) Fitch of Oak Island, NC; Gary (Amy) Fitch of Grand Rapids; Terry Fitch (Lana Green) of Powell, OH; grandchildren: Brandon (Emily) Fitch of Grand Rapids (and great-grandchildren Avery and Konner); Jamie (Rebecca) Fitch of Austin, TX (and great-grandchildren Myla and Bree); Lauren (Matt) Babson of Wilmington, NC (and great-grandchildren Bellamy, Quinn, and Archie); Jeremy Fitch (Mariah Howes) of Chicago; Travis Fitch of Delaware, OH; Tyler Fitch of Chicago; Rhyann (Justin) Longbrake of Lewis Center, OH; and Chase Green of Chandler, AZ.

Lowell's family and friends will miss his quips, his kindness, and the unwavering support he always offered, no matter what was needed. With his incredible work ethic and love for his family, he was the best role model anyone could ask for, providing an example that his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Grand Rapids American Legion or the Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 21, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 at Hanneman Funeral Home, Grand Rapids.  The Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 1:00 pm at the funeral home.  Burial will immediately follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Grand Rapids. 

Online condolences as well as fond memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com