Zell Pitalo, 81, of Gulfport died on Sunday, November 11, 2012 in Pass Christian. Mrs. Pitalo was born in Neshoba, MS and had been a resident of Gulfport for about 60 years. She was a member of St. John Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir. Mrs. Pitalo was also a member of the Knight of Columbus Auxiliary.
She is preceded in death by her parents, John Austin and Louva Lewis Howle; son, Billy Pitalo and a grandson, Brett Pitalo.
Mrs. Pitalo is survived by her husband, Nick G. Pitalo, Jr. of Gulfport; three daughters, Theresa (Karlon) Ladner of Gulfport, Gloria Ballard also of Gulfport and Patti (Charles) Mollica of Birmingham, AL; four sons, Tim Pitalo of Gulfport, Wayne Pitalo of Long Beach, Donald Pitalo of Orlando, FL and John Nick Pitalo also of Gulfport; brother, Rolf Howle of Neshoba, MS; fifteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank, Dixie White House Nursing Home for their wonderful care of Mrs. Pitalo.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. at St. John Catholic Church. Friends may visit from 1:00 p.m. until mass time at the church. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Gulfport.
Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.