James "Jim" Stephen Chittick

James “Jim” Chittick was born in Pawnee City on October 10, 1931, and passed away peacefully surrounded by his children on February 9, 2025, at the age of 93, at the Pawnee County Memorial Hospital.

Jim was the oldest of three children, Jim, John (Jack), and Helen Ann, of George and Helen (Peckham) Chittick.  He was raised on the farm east of Pawnee City where he attended grade school at the Sheridan country school and finished his high school education at Pawnee City Public High School.  While going to high school he met his future wife Virginia Lee Bellows.  After high school Jim served in the army stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

After returning from the service Jim and Virginia were married in the Presbyterian Church, which he was a lifelong member, on January 22,1956. For a brief period, they made their home in Pawnee City while they chased the coons and other varmints out and fixed up the house on the west side of Pawnee City. They lived there until they moved to Pawnee City in 1984. To this union three children were born, Susan, Steven, and Mary.   

Jim started farming with his dad and continued to farm his entire life. He took special pride when the kids showed hogs at the county fair that they picked out of the lots at home. Jim and Virginia didn’t travel very often but did take a couple of family camping trips with many fond memories being made.  When they were younger Jim and Virginia would take their kids to Grandma Bellows while they either went bowling or square dancing. Jim wasn’t ever one to go to town and drink coffee but liked to stop at Kerl’s Service Station or Schilling Elevator to bum a Marlboro cigarette and catch up on the latest farming news. 

After Virginia passed in 2021, Jim continued to live in the house and drive every day to the farms to check on the crops. In 2022, at the age of 89, he got his combine out of the shed for the last time and helped harvest his own corn.  Even after he begrudgingly gave up driving and moved to Pawnee City Assisted Living, he enjoyed it when one of the kids would pick him up and take him to the farm so he could check his crops. Throughout his life Jim served on various boards in the community.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Virginia of 65 years, parents George and Helen, and his younger brother John (Jack).

Left to share fond memories of Jim are his sister Helen Ann of Oklahoma, children and spouses Susan and Mark Moore of Thurston, NE, Steve and Angie Chittick of Maywood, NE, and Mary Ritchie and fiancé Chuck Yearick of Florida. Grand children Lucas Moore of Denver, CO, Spencer and Chelsea Moore of Pender, NE, Cort and Kadie Chittick of Arkansas City, KS, Clay Chittick of North Platte, NE, Monte and Kendra Ritchie of Lincoln, NE, Jill Ritchie of Lincoln, NE, Max Ritchie of San Francisco, CA, several great grandchildren, sisters-in-law Phylis Forneris and Dorothy Bellows, and many friends.

Services 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 13, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church/Christian Church, Pawnee City, Nebraska with Pastor Howard Blecha officiating. A link to the livestream video is available here:https://www.facebook.com/100057240888156/videos/641013415543062

Visitation on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church/Christian Church, 801 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Memorials to Pawnee City Public FFA program or Pawnee County Memorial Hospital Foundation.  Online condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com. Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska. 

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