Richard Wayne FitzSimmons Sr., age 94, of Elkhart, formerly of Mishawaka, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2012 after a brief stay in Woodlawn Manor. Richard was born April 19, 1917 in Mishawaka to the late Richard O. and Margaret E. (Gordon) FitzSimmons. In 1935, he graduated from Mishawaka High School. Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army where he fought in WWII, attaining the rank of Sergeant, and achieving numerous citations, such as the Asiatic and Pacific Theatre with 3 bronze stars, the Bronze star with oak leaf cluster, Combat Infantry Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, the WWII Victory Medal, the Medal for Good Conduct, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 bronze stars, and the Occupation of Japan Medal.

On November 19, 1941, he married Margaret Adelia Deal. She preceded him in death, passing away in April of 2004. Richard is survived by his sons, Richard W. (Alice) FitzSimmons Jr. of Greenville, Illinois, and Robert G. (Lynnette) FitzSimmons of Elkhart, Indiana. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his siblings, Fred "Fat Freddy" FitzSimmons, Gordon "Gordy" FitzSimmons, Bob FitzSimmons, and Mary FitzSimmons.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 pm Friday, January 13, 2012 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, January 14, 2012 at Chapel Hill, and interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, where Military Rites will be conducted by VFW Post #360 of Mishawaka.

Richard was employed by Delco Remy in Anderson, and later by Dodge Manufacturing as an Industrial Engineer for 43 years before his retirement. He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Mishawaka. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and playing golf. He and his wife Margaret also loved to research genealogy. In his spare time, Richard liked to play cards, and attend Army reunions.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the First United Methodist Church of Mishawaka.

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