PAWNEE ROCK — John Leslie Fitzsimmons Jr., 58, died Dec. 23 at his home in rural Pawnee Rock, surrounded by his loving family. Born Sept. 28, 1955 in Kingman, he was the son of John Leslie and Ella Marie (Tetrick) Fitzsimmons. On Dec. 2, 1983 he married Loretta Kay Stetler in Great Bend. A long time rural Pawnee Rock resident, coming from McPherson, he was the quality systems manager for Size Wise Wheelchairs of Kansas in Hays.
Mr. Fitzsimmons attended St. Ann Catholic Church in Olmitz. He was the leader and founder of the Dirt Dawgs.
Survivors include his loving wife, Kay Fitzsimmons, of the home; his mother, Ella Marie Born, of McPherson; one son, John Matthew Fitzsimmons and his wife Megan of Larned; one daughter, Leslie Nicole Fitzsimmons and her beloved Chris Pala, of Brisbane, Australia; two sisters, Susan Fitzsimmons and her husband Chris Anderson, of Lindsborg and Cindy Ball and her husband Mike of Andover; granddaughter,  Zoe Fitzsimmons of Larned; brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Pam Stetler, of Hoisington; two nieces, Heather Wooten and Miah Ball; and six nephews, James Anderson, Will Anderson, Broc Ball, Cody Stetler, Zach Stetler and Michael Stetler. He is preceded in death by his father John Leslie Fitzsimmons Sr.; his brother James Lee Fitzsimmons; mother and father in-law John and Alice Stetler; and his brother-in-law Johnnie Mike Stetler.
A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday at St. Ann Catholic Church in Olmitz. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church with Father Ultan Murphy officiating. Burial will be at the Golden Belt Cemetery in Barton County. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Memorials are suggested to Kans for Kids or Alzheimer’s Association, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home
Box 146
Hoisington, Ks. 67544
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Dec. 26, 2013