Arnold O. “Mike” Pittinger

Arnold O. “Mike” Pittinger, 84, of Ranson, West Virginia went to be with the Lord under the care of Hospice of the Panhandle on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at his home.

Mike was born January 29, 1938 in Martinsburg, WV and son of the late Arnold Monroe “John” Pittinger and Georgia Elizabeth Eby.

Mike was a graduate of Shepherdstown High School class of 1955. He joined the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department in 1954 as a junior in high school. After marrying and moving to Charles Town, he joined the Citizens Volunteer Fire Department in 1958, serving in many leadership positions, including Assistant Chief for 16 years. He has since been an Honorary Lifetime Member. Mike became a professional firefighter for the U.S. Government at a classified location from 1961-1967. With the fire service, Mike served as an instructor in Interior Fire Suppression, Water Movement and Flammable Liquids for many years and taught at many universities, including West Virginia University, N. C. Technical College, University of Maryland, College Park, Texas A & M, and other fire training academies across the country. He also served as a fire training instructor for West Virginia University throughout the Eastern Panhandle. He was President of the Jefferson County Firefighters Association and Treasurer of the West Virginia State Firemen’s Association for seven years. Mike received a Life Saving Award from the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.

Mike took his love of firefighting into his second career as a sales manager for fire equipment at Badger-Powhatan Brass and Iron Works, where he worked for 28 years. Unable to fully relax and enjoy retirement, Mike added several more jobs to his list of accomplishments. He worked for surveillance and security at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, worked at the Anna Mae Reedy Senior Center, and recently worked for Melvin T. Strider Funeral Home.

Mike was a member of the Charles Town Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and taught ESOL. He was a high school and community basketball referee for many years and spent many hours reading and exploring history surrounding the Civil War.

Mr. Mike Pittinger is survived by his daughters, Lisa L. Rolle and husband Bill of Boyds, Maryland, Marsha Gardner and husband Chuck of Middleway, Missy

Lewis and husband Bryan of Leetown and daughter in law Debra Pittinger of Charles Town, twelve grandchildren; Eric Pittinger (Angie) , Jessica Rolle, Patrick Lewis, Blair D’Angelo (Ryan) , Meaghan Rickman ( Lee), Angela O’Meara ( Ryan), Lauren Poe ( Trevor), Brooke Gardner, Blake Gardner, Lacie Lewis, Cole Lewis, and C. T. Gardner: Great grandchildren; Arianna Pittinger, Thomas Pittinger, Leah D’Angelo, Emma D’Angelo and Connor D’Angleo and one great-grand daughter on the way, his two brothers; Douglas M. Pittinger and wife Judy of Uvilla, and Richard W. Pittinger and wife Adrienne of Newport News, Virginia, and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Mike’s caregiver, Dawn Legge.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Darla Pittinger and his son, Michael D. Pittinger.

The funeral service was at the Charles Town Baptist Church on Tuesday February 22, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Bryan Hotaling officiating. Interment followed, at the Edge Hill Cemetery in Charles Town, WV.

Please sign the online guestbook and view his obituary at www.mtstrider.com.