Robert (Nort) J. Sitterly

Robert (Nort) Sitterly, 83, born December 14, 1942, finally found a limb he could not saw his way out of on Sunday morning, January 4, 2026.   He passed away peacefully, though family members suspect he was just trying to avoid the upcoming spring and summer work season.

Nort spent over six decades as a tree surgeon, a career choice his insurance agent described as “one long, continuous miracle”.   He was a man who never met a branch he did not want to cut or a safety harness he didn’t think was “mostly a suggestion”.  He spent his prime years suspended 60 feet in the air, wielding a chainsaw with the grace of a surgeon and the nerves of a man who clearly did not understand the laws of gravity.  In addition, he leaves behind a legacy of beautifully manicured trees, several confused squirrels, several cracked limestone sidewalks and at least three customer sheds that are “structurally sound enough, all things considered”.

When the leaves began to fall in Ohio, Nort was already halfway to Arizona. He was a dedicated “Snowbird”, though he acted more like a migratory hawk looking for the nearest casino.

Nort’s retirement was funded and subsequently refunded by the slot machines of the Southwest.  He had a “system” for the slots that involved a specific lucky hat, a lukewarm black coffee, and a stubborn refusal to acknowledge the mathematical house edge.  To Nort, the sound of a digital jackpot was the finest symphony ever composed, second only to the sound of a Stihl chainsaw starting on the first pull.

He is survived by his four children, Elaine Howatineck, Kevin (Michelle) Sitterly, Melinda (Chris) Gies and Jana (Mark) Meisler, who inherited his stubbornness but, thankfully, not his penchant for climbing trees in a windstorm or getting struck by lightning;  grandchildren, Jordan (Alyssa) Howatineck, Keegan Gies, Lauren (Austin) McCurdy, Carson (Lina) Howatineck, Isabelle Sitterly, Charlotte Sitterly and Jack Sitterly;  special friend and mother of his children, Ann Sitterly; sisters and brothers, Ruth (Bub) Fox, Helen (Larry) McGuckin, Donna Myers, Sharon Russell, Mike (Jill) Sitterly, Dennis (Marty) Sitterly, Marie (Rod) Chandler, Donald (Rebecca) Sitterly, Thomas (Lou Anne) Sitterly, Eugene (Mary) Sitterly and a collection of casino loyalty cards that, when stacked together, could probably shingle a small roof.

He was proceeded in death his by his parents, Clarence and Bernice (Wechter) Sitterly; sisters, Frances Osborn and Mary Hinkle; and brother, Jim Sitterly.  In addition, several Stihl chain saws and a significant amount of quarters.

All are welcomed to share their favorite memories of Nort from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in the Pfeil Funeral Home, Monroeville Chapel, 109 Monroe Street, Monroeville. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, January 9, 2026, in the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 66 Chapel Street, Monroeville. Father Charles Obinwa will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you plant a money tree or simply take fifty bucks and go to the nearest casino and lose it in Nort’s honor.

Condolences may be shared with the family at pfeilfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert (Nort) J. Sitterly, please visit our floral store.