Joe Spitz

Spitz, Joseph

Joe Spitz of Appleton, beloved husband of 65 years of Dolores Perona Spitz, died peacefully, on August 15, 2014 at age 90. Son of the late Joseph and Mary (Becker) Spitz of Griffith Indiana, He is survived by his wife Dolores, and his five children: Joseph (Mary) of Eagle River WI, Janet (Jerry) Stephenson of Allison Park, PA, Rita (David Blears) of Winnetka IL, Richard (Joan) of Sugar Land, TX, and Susan (Joel) Petersen of Marine-on-St. Croix, MN, as well as 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He is also survived by Sisters Ruth Schaller, Joan Rieder, and Mary (Donald) Glowinski and Brother James (Vicki) and predeceased by his brother Richard (JoAnn), all of Indiana.

Joe was a devoted husband and father who valued his family above all else. He continually sought ways to enrich their lives through his unlimited curiosity for learning and enthusiasm for diverse experiences. Such a positive outlook resulted in countless cherished memories for his family.



During WWII he served in the Army Air Corps' 94th Bomber Group (B-17's) from Bury St. Edmonds, England as a tail gunner, flying the full 25 missions (despite being shot down near enemy lines on the fifth mission). After the war, he earned his business degree at Indiana University where he met Dolores, the love of his life. He first worked for Studebaker-Packard Corporation and later for Aetna Life Insurance & Annuity Co. To further his professional career he earned his Masters in Financial Planning at age 65. He loved his work, because he could provide security and peace of mind to his clients. He was an active volunteer in many church and civic activities, including St. Pius X Catholic Church, Mother and Unborn Baby Care, the Salvatorian Mission, Appleton Elks and Lions Club, V.F.W. American Legion, and several youth mentoring and tutoring programs.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 am on Wednesday, August 20, at St Pius X Church, 500 West Marquette Street, Appleton, with Father Thomas Farrell officiating, followed immediately by full military honors performed by American Legion Post #38. Friends may visit directly at the church on Wednesday from 9am until the time of service. Internment at Roselawn Cemetery in Terre Haute, Indiana will follow later.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to WI Right to Life P.O. Box 2521 Appleton, WI 54912 or the Salvatorian Mission, 1303 Milwuakee Drive, New Holstein, WI 53061.

The Family would like to especially thank the staff at Brewster for their excellent and compassionate care.

Joe touched the lives of so many people. His qualities of pursing excellence, dedication to his family, country, work, and his beliefs truly made a difference in our world. It will continue through those he leaves behind and who love him…..until we meet again.