Lee R. Kittle, 94, of Novinger, Missouri, passed away Sunday, August 17, 2014, at the Schuyler County Nursing Home in Queen City, Missouri.

On December 23, 1919, he was born to Calvin Lewis and Alma (Erwin) Kittle in Adair County, Missouri. On January 22, 1942 he was united in marriage to Lora Fay Williams who survives. To this marriage two children were born, Thresa Burrus of Kirksville, MO and David Kittle and wife Judy of Novinger, MO.

Also surviving are three grandsons, Shannon Bowen of Queen City, MO, Michael Kittle and wife Penny of Novinger, MO, and Dustin Bowen and wife Heather of Queen City, MO, five great-grandchildren, Kayya Kittle of Kirksville, MO, Dakota, Jamie and Bryce Kittle all of Novinger, MO and Chyanne Bowen of Kirksville, MO, two sisters, Lena Mauck and husband Marion and Colleen Weinberg all of Galesburg, IL, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Jesse and Perry Kittle, two sisters, Grace Martin and Jewell Smith, and one grandson, Jason Bowen.

Except for four years spent serving in the United States Army during WWII, Lee lived his entire life in Adair County. He graduated from Brashear High School in 1940. Upon returning from the war, he began farming and starting a family near Brashear and then moved to the farm northwest of Novinger in 1949. There Lee enjoyed raising beef cattle and worked off the farm at McGraw Edison and Kewanee Mfg., where he was a union steward for several years. He loved to hunt quail, deer, turkey, and riding and working horses and mules especially his favorite mule, Doc.

Lee was a member of Northeast Missouri Trail Riders and was drill master for several years. He was also a member of Willmathsville Wagon Masters several years.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday (August 21, 2014) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with family receiving friends for one hour before the service. Pastor Alan Coonfield will officiate the service and interment will follow the service at the Green Castle Cemetery in Green Castle, MO.

Pallbearers will be Shannon Bowen, Michael Kittle, Dustin Bowen, Dakota Kittle, Jamie Kittle and Amos Martin.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Lee Kittle may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.