Richard D. Fitzner

BRANSON, Mo. — Former St. Ignatius resident Richard D. Fitzner, 61, of Branson ended his earthly life on Dec. 20, 2006, at the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark.

No local services are planned at this time. Plans are to take his cremains to the mountains of Montana next summer and meet with friends and relatives for a celebration of his life at that time.

Local arrangements were under the direction of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home, Branson.

Richard was born in Boulder, Colo., Aug. 17, 1945. He moved with his family to St. Ignatius and graduated from high school there.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Viet Nam conflict. Then he returned to Montana where he realized his lifelong dream of driving a truck for many years, both logging and long distance hauling.

He moved to Hudson, Fla., in 1995 where he continued trucking and also worked in real estate. He moved to Branson in August of this year.

Richard was preceded in death by his beloved son, John George Fitzner.

He is survived by his parents, Harold and Betty Fitzner of Branson; his brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Crystal Fitzner of Omaha; a nephew, Shawn Fitzner of Missoula; step—nephew, Ryan Smith of New York City; and a step-niece, RaVae Smith of St. Louis, Mo.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.