Scott Lee Kittinger, 59, of Carmi, Illinois, died Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana, surrounded by his family and several of his friends. He was born December 12, 1964, in Benton, Illinois, the son of Donald Lee Kittinger and Connie Lou (Parrish) Kittinger. He was married to Melissa (Blake) Kittinger and she survives.
Scott was well-known in the music world as an accomplished bass guitarist. His music led him to all parts of the world, whether playing in local venues, or around the world in 2004 with the Armed Forces Entertainment playing for our troops in remote outposts such as the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Over the years, he was a member of numerous successful musical groups, and he had a passion for helping others through his music by participating in many benefit concerts.
Other areas of interest were muzzle-loading firearms, fly fishing, hunting, and, when he became unable to hunt, he would monitor his father-in-law’s trail cameras. Scott had a loving heart and had a rapport with everyone he met from toddlers to geezers and everyone in between. He never knew a stranger. In the spirit of giving, he donated his long hair to Locks of Love. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Carmi, and in his later years, he attended Roads Church in Norris City, Illinois.
Survivors include his wife, Melissa Kittinger, and daughter Fallon Kittinger, both of Carmi; sons Hunter Kittinger-Welch of Carmi, and Trenton Kittinger of Hatfield, Indiana; father, Don Kittinger of Carmi; brothers Brad (Monya) Kittinger of Brunswick, Maine, and Ronnie Paul (Carrie) Kingery of Evansville, Indiana; grandchild Kàra Kittinger; Godchildren Nolan and Julia Kingery. Scott was a loving uncle to numerous nieces and nephews
He is preceded in death by his mother, Connie Kittinger; mother-in-law Sandra Blake; grandparents Herman and Lucille Kittinger and Jack and Fannie May Parrish; and cousins Mike and Tony Gott.
Visitation is 5-8 pm, Friday, January 5, 2024, at Cook Funeral Chapel in Carmi, Illinois. Funeral is 10 am, Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Cook Funeral Chapel in Carmi with burial in Melrose Cemetery in Carmi.
A celebration of Scott’s life will be at the Carmi Elks Lodge beginning at 5 pm, Saturday, January 6, 2024.
Memorial contributions may be made to Scott’s family to assist with expenses and will be accepted at Cook Funeral Chapel, 101 Edgewood Lane, Carmi, Illinois 62821.
Cook Funeral Chapel in Carmi, Illinois, is in charge of all arrangements.