Frank Abbott "Kitch" Kitchell, age 84, a resident of Winfield, IL, graduated into Glory on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. He was born October 28, 1934 in Evanston, Illinois to Dorothy Abbott Kitchell and Howell Webster Kitchell.

He attended Evanston Township High School and went on to Princeton University. He left there to enroll in the United States Army as a Forward Observer. While serving, he was a member of US Modern Pentathlon team, participating in fencing, freestyle swimming, show jumping, and the combination of pistol shooting and cross country running. After serving, he later took courses at the Illinois Institute of Techonology and the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business. He also received a degree from Moody Bible Institute

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Marilyn, of almost 19 years. They met at College Church in 1989 during a Bible memorization class. At this time in his life, Kitch was on total disability due to several heart attacks. However, he joined the choir and served in many ways despite his deteriorating heart condition.

In August of 1997, Kitch underwent a heart transplant and was given a life expectancy of only seven to eight years. By God's grace and mercy, he defied the odds and lived for 22! He was humbled by all of the prayers offered up on his behalf during that difficult time. Kitch was grateful for each day and never took the extra time that God afforded him for granted. He delighted in the birth of his four grandchildren in the years following the transplant.

He and Marilyn were married on June 7, 2000, at College Church, surrounded by family and dear friends. They attended there as a couple, where he sang in the choir for almost 20 years, worked in the print shop and kitchen, helped with childcare for the two year olds during Bible study times. He also tutored elementary English and math students, and taught many immigrants how to drive. He grew to dearly love the Thapa family from Nepal, and poured a lot of his heart, and many hours, into helping them settle and become citizens here.

Kitch worked in a variety of settings and capacities, with his last job being at Tyndale House Publishing, where he delighted in being able to toss boxes as part of his job. He also worked as a census taker and served as an election judge.

Kitch loved Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and loved to serve Him, Marilyn, and others, in tangible ways. His upbeat attitude and perseverance were contagious.

He is survived by his his wife, Marilyn; his three sons, David Kitchell, Samuel (Alexandra) Kitchell, Paul (Kim) Kitchell; and four grandchildren, Jade and Brody, and Thomas and Steven Kitchell. He is also loved by Marilyn's children, Christie (Hugh) Murrow, Jonathan (Debbi) Searle, Dan (Jessica) Searle and Martha (Tom) Halter; 14 grandchildren, Julia (Alex), Kathryn (Craig), Jonny, Sarah (Rob), Brad (Ellie), Emily, Jake (Allison), Caleb, Luke, Isabella, Josiah, Eliana and Elijah; and four great-grandchildren, Robbie, Maddie, Olivia and Ellie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howell and Dorothy Kitchell; his brother, Howell; and two sisters, Dorothy "Dory" and Ellis.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, June 9, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at College Church , 332 E. Seminary Ave., in Wheaton, IL.

There is no interment today as Kitch wanted his body to be given to medical science so that students could learn from it. He was a heart transplant recipient which lasted 22 years making medical science very important to him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Choir at College Church , 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187.