Jean Pittman, 85, Whitewood, died Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at his ranch near Whitewood.

Visitation will be noon until 9:00 p.m. on Monday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor Richard Counts officiating. Burial will follow at the Whitewood Cemetery.

Jean was born in a dugout near Sulphur Creek on January 30, 1924, to Charles E. and Jennie D. (Hlavka) Pittman. He attended grade school in Marcus and High School in Sturgis. He returned to the ranch at Marcus where he met Jeane Oliver. They were married in Sturgis on February 25, 1947.

In 1948, they moved to their ranch near Whitewood where they have lived for the past 60 years. Jean was employed as the foreman for the Whitewood Sawmill for 15 years. He then worked part-time for 3 years at the Sawmill where he sharpened saw blades. He also operated a Grade A Dairy for many years.

Jean was a member of numerous civic and fraternal organizations. He loved to dance and ride a good horse.

Survivors include his wife, Jeane Pittman, Whitewood; five sons, Martin Pittman, Whitewood, Monte Pittman, Whitewood, Melvin Pittman, Nisland, Mark Pittman, Dallas, TX, and Mike Pittman, Belle Fourche; one sister, Laura Ethel Howie, Rapid City; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial has been established to the Whitewood Senior Citizens Center.