Obituary of John Lynn Pittenger

John “Lynn” Pittenger, 84 1939-February 4, 2024

FORMERLY OF ROANOKE, RETIRED FROM LINCOLN LIFE John “Lynn” Pittenger, formerly of Roanoke, Indiana, passed away peacefully with family on February 4th at 7:25 pm at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Venice, Florida.

Born to Francis and Edith Pittenger in Muncie, Indiana in 1939, Lynn was a 1957 graduate of Muncie Central High School. He went on to graduate from Ball State University earning varsity letters as a member of the swim team.

Lynn married Rebecca Anne Clampitt on August 25,1962 in Warren, Indiana. Together they raised, planted, cooked, fed, cleaned, built, fixed, worked, loved, laughed, listened, explored and then some. Always together, always caring, always setting an example, always being the ones family and friends looked to and leaned on.

Lynn’s professional career started with Colgate then North American Van Lines before retiring from the telecommunication division at Lincoln Life in Fort Wayne. As a “hobby,” Lynn and his wife also farmed 85 acres while raising pigs at the family home in Roanoke. The house was gutted and remodeled by him and Anne.

Upon retirement, Lynn split his time between the family cabin and cottage in North Webster, Indiana and a home in Venice (which he and Anne also gutted and remodeled).

Lynn was intelligent, thoughtful and well-versed. He became the “go to” whenever something needed done or someone needed advice, be it a family member or a friend. He was a person who could fix anything, it could be mechanical, construction, electrical or even plumbing (not his favorite!). If he didn’t know how to fix it, he would find out how to fix it,... and fix it. Every one of his daughter’s homes has his fingerprints all over it.

A true patriarch, Lynn knew when to be calm, when to be sincere, when to be firm and when to be fun. He loved reunions and get-togethers whether it was at the lake on the 4th of July, or someplace for birthdays and holidays. He swam several times a week, was a member of a car club and took special care in maintaining contact with high school classmates and former coworkers. A bum knee eventually took away his golf day. He and Anne saw almost every Broadway show worth seeing and unfortunately, some that weren’t.

He attended the Indianapolis 500 with family from 1954-2016 (62 years), only missing once to be present for the birth of his youngest daughter.

Lynn supported his daughters and eventually his grandkids in all their activities. If it was a school play or athletic event, Lynn and his wife were there, many times traveling out of state.

Through work at Lincoln Life or trips with Anne, he was able to visit all 50 states along with several different countries. Every year, Lynn, Anne and just their three daughters would take a trip somewhere, even once going on a cruise.

Survivors include his wife Anne, daughters Shawn (Martin) Brown of Wabash, IN, Jill (Alex) Kruger of Bel Air, Maryland and Erin (Joel) Holloway of Venice, FL. Grandchildren Dr. Tony Brown of Ft. Myers, FL, Dr. Joey (Kayla) Brown of Noblesville, IN, Austin (Rachel) Brown of Indianapolis, Trevor (Elizabeth) Holloway and Trent Holloway of Venice, FL, Valerie Kruger of Salisbury, MD and Jocelyn Kruger of Bel Air, MD. Great grandchildren Calvin, Evelyn, Mara, Isabelle and Eleanor. Also surviving is one sister Janet (Randy) Cates of Modoc, Indiana, sister-in-law Shirley (Jay) Pittenger of Muncie, IN, brother-in law Chuck (Bonnie) Clampitt of Markle, Indiana along with several nieces and nephews. Kenny and Connie Wright of Huntington, Indiana were lifelong friends.

Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Jay and Rex. Father and mother-in-law Jay and Lucile Clampitt and sister-in-law Donna (Rex) Pittenger.

Lynn lived a full, extraordinary life. His passing leaves a huge void for all who knew him. He’s irreplaceable as a husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and great grandfather. He was loved and adored so very, very much. The sorrow that his family feels is immense, and it will stay that way for a long time.

Arrangements were entrusted to Farley Funeral Home in Venice, FL.