George Eugene Spartz

George Eugene Spartz, born Aug. 18, 1920, to Ethel Maxwell Spartz and Jacob Spartz in Butte, MT, died Aug. 29, 2011 in Houston, TX at the age of 91. George, a 32-year resident of Oak Park, IL, was one of those men people looked up to and can enthusiastically say "what a life well-lived!" Raised in Ruth, NV, before moving to Holy Family Parish in Chicago, George graduated from St. Ignatius High School with a football scholarship to Creighton University in Omaha, NE, where he played on the school's last football team before entering the United States Marine Corp, earning the rank of Captain and serving his country during WWII. Stationed in the Pacific Theater as a Bomb Disposal Officer, George was awarded three Bronze Stars for his actions during the campaign. Following WWII, George, a Passenger Agent for United Airlines, met and married the love of his life, Alice Anne Rattenbury, a United Airline Stewardess, and happily raised 11 children. George worked in chemical industries as a Sales Executive until he retired at 88 years old. A man of great faith and a member of the Catholic Church wherever he lived, including most recently, St. Martha Catholic Church in Kingwood, TX, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and faithful to prayer in their Adoration Chapel; George was also past-President of the Serra Club in Chicago and active in St. Edmund Parish in Oak Park, IL. In addition to raising his family and carrying a full work load, George taught sales at Northwestern University and created math and phonics programs training hundreds of children over the years in the Catholic schools of the Chicago Archdiocese as a volunteer the children called either "Coach" or "Grandpa George". Despite being a four-time cancer survivor, "Iron George" was athletic and vigorous until his death. And no story of Mr. Spartz would be complete without the mention of the football team of Notre Dame University, where he remained a loyal and devoted fan. He loved his family and was well-loved as evidenced by the cherished legacy he leaves. George is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Alice Anne Spartz, son, Richard Ignatius Spartz, and brother, John (Rosemary) Spartz. He is survived by his 11 children: Mary Elizabeth (Bob) Vietti, James (Nancy) Spartz, Barbara (Harry) Weirath, Nancy (John) Wakefield, Tom (Maggi) Spartz, William (Debbie) Spartz, Michael (Cindy) Spartz, Jack (Jenny) Spartz, Matthew (Cindy) Spartz, Clare Spartz and Robert (Melissa) Spartz; 28 grandchildren: Kevin (Keri) Vietti, Meghan (Bobby) Conway, Sean Vietti, Caitlin Vietti, Colin Vietti, Corinne Spartz, Matthew Weirath, Elizabeth (Alex) Long, John (Sarah) Wakefield, Allie (Zach) Harrison, Will Wakefield, Emerson (Gaby) Spartz, Dylan Spartz, Drew Spartz, Christopher Spartz, Michael Spartz, Courtney Spartz, Dan Spartz, Jack Spartz, Billy Spartz, Morgan Spartz, Max Spartz, Madison Spartz, Kelly (Chris) Ackerman, Brian (Christin) Spartz, Kristen Spartz, Katie Spartz, and Kevin Spartz; and four great-grandchildren: Marie Wakefield, Connor Vietti, McKenna Long and Alexander Long. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Edmund School Technology Fund, 200 S. Oak Park, IL, 60302. Visitation Monday, Sept. 5, 3 to 8 p.m. at Conboy- Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Rd. (two blocks west of Mannheim); Funeral Tuesday, Sept. 6, 9 a.m. from the funeral home to St. Edmund Church (Pleasant and Oak Park Ave.), Oak Park, IL for a 10:30 a.m. Mass. Internment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Arrangements by P.M. Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Donald R. Smith, Director . Info 708-F-U-N-E-R-A-L or 708-681-5828.