Dave "Fitch" Tickle

Funeral services for Dave "Fitch" Tickle, 74, of rural Lacona, Iowa, will be held Thursday, October 26, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home (203 West Center St.) Melcher-Dallas. A luncheon will be held at the American Legion Post 632 in Melcher-Dallas following the service. Interment will be at the Oakview Cemetery in Albia following the luncheon.

Family will receive friends at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Melcher-Dallas on Wednesday, October 25, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m.  Memorials in honor of Fitch may be made to the Melcher-Dallas American Legion Post 632.

David Ernest Tickle was born February 1, 1949, in Pleasantville, Iowa. The second child of Ernest Tickle and Virginia Terrell-Cox. He grew up in Melcher-Dallas and graduated from Melcher-Dallas High School in 1967. During school he played football and an article in the paper had his last name spelled wrong as FiTch, and from there on he was known as “Fitch”!  

After graduation, he served in the United States Navy in Vietnam from 1967 through 1971. After returning from the service, he began working at EFCO (Economy Forms) in Des Moines. On February 14, 2014, he retired after working for 43 years, deciding it was time to enjoy life at home.

The best thing to happen to Fitch was meeting Diane Guffey on a blind date setup by her friend Colette Fortune. A few short months later, on June 29, 1991, they were married at the Christian Church in Albia. They eventually made their home in the country near Newbern. Fitch loved raising animals, including chickens for eggs and meat. He also enjoyed his garden, which increased in size every year. Always sharing with all his friends. He grew peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, lettuce, and grew harder things such as cauliflower and broccoli. He was always generous and would do so much to help others.

He loved old westerns, the Hawkeyes, both of which he shared with his daughter and granddaughters. Kids just loved him, and he loved them too. Fitch and Diane fostered several children throughout the years, again just showing how he cared for others. Fitch was very close to his father-in-law, Walt.  They had a special bond, so much so that Walt’s last words were of how much he loved Fitch like his own son.

Fitch was quiet, strong, a little stubborn, and had a heart of gold. He helped his friends and community in many ways including helping his brothers at the American Legion. He was always quick to volunteer and help when needed.

Fitch passed away October 22, 2023, at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, after complications of a fall. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 32 years, Diane; daughter, Brandi Tickle; grandchildren: Samantha Wright, Shakayla Uheling, and Bree-ana O'Leary; siblings: Paul (Kathy) Tickle,  Dennis (Pat) Tickle, and Willa (Don) Heaberlin; brother-in-law, Vern Eagen; and brother-in-law, Kenny Guffey; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends; along with bonus children who loved to prank him, but considered him a second dad: Lana (John) Kauzlarich, Kelly (Les) Taylor, Amy (Travis) Johannes, and Jamie Towns.

Preceding Fitch in death were his parents, Ernest Tickle and Virginia Terrell-Cox; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walt and Mary Guffey; sister, Patricia Eagen; and bonus sons, David and Brent Towns.