James Spitza

James A. Spitza, 84, of Bellaire died Monday, August 5, 2013 working at his redi mix plant. He was born may 2, 1929, the son of Joseph and Bara (Dalaney) Spitza. Jim proudly served in the US Army during WWII and the Korean War, earning a Purple Heart. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion. For over 45 years, Jim owned and operated B & B Transit Redi Mix. He was a hard, dedicated worker who still went to work every day. He enjoyed gardening and canning his bounty. He also enjoyed bird watching and bird feeding. On January 4, 1980, in Traverse City, he married Maxine Graham Schaar who survives. Also surviving are his children Connie (Brad) Raby, Debra (Wayne) Bubar, Pam Countryman, grandchildren Stephanie Murden, Eric Belcher, Jamie Molski, Howard and Hanna Countryman, Ashley Erickson, sister Mary, step children Deane (Thomas) Cables, Rodney (Helen) Schaar, Jerry (Karen) Schaar, 10 great grandchildren, 10 step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Phoebe, Rosie, Frances, Annie, William, Ed, Frank, and John. Funeral services will be held Fri. Aug. 9, at 1 p.m. at the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Interment will follow in Helena Twp. Cemetery. Family will receive friends Thurs. Aug. 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. also at the funeral home. Memorial donations can be directed to the Commission on Aging. Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.