Jack Wesley Wiltz

Jack Wesley Wiltz, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather died peacefully in the early morning of Monday, July 6, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was born, at home, on November 14, 1921 in Flint, Michigan, the son of the late Welles W. and Louise J. Wiltz. Jack attended Dort Elementary School, Emerson Junior High School, Flint Northern High School (Class of 1940), Flint Junior College (Class of 1942) and Michigan State College (Class of 1947, BA Business).  

Jack enlisted as an Army Air Corps Cadet while attending Michigan State in March 1942 and received Cadet training at San Antonio, TX, Chichasha and Enid, OK, and Aloe Field, Victoria, TX with Cadet Class 44-A receiving 2nd Lt. Commission and Wings in January 1944. His operational fighter pilot training with the 98th Fighter Squadron, 337th Fighter Group, in Sarasota, FL, saw him flying P-40’s. Jack left for North Africa on June 5, 1944 and then to Corsica where he joined the 524th Fighter Squadron, 27th Fighter Group as a P-47 (Thunderbolt) pilot. Battles and Campaigns in the European Theater included Rome Arno; South France; North Apennines; North France; Rhineland and Central Europe. Jack flew 104 combat missions, eight months as squadron leader, on close support, armed reconnaissance and bomber escort, attaining the rank of Captain. He was attached as a Forward Fighter Control Officer with the 103rd Infantry Division during March 1945 and as Commanding Officer of the 523rd Fighter Squadron, 27th Fighter Group from October 1, 1945 until the Group deactivation at Camp Shanks, NY, November 7, 1945. Jack’s Decorations and Citations included the European -African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 6 Battle Stars, WW II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He dreamed of becoming a pilot as a little boy, never lost his love of flying and last piloted at the age of 95.

After graduating from Michigan State, Jack met his future wife, Joan Marie Desmond, while they were both working at Crowley Milner Department Store in downtown Detroit, MI. Jack and Joan were married on September 10, 1949 in Detroit; they lived in the Flint area until July 2016 when they moved to Glacier Hills in Ann Arbor. Joan, who died on September 27, 2016 after 67 years of marriage, was the love of his life.

Jack owned and operated North Dixie Used Car Co. with his father for 35 years (1949-1983). During that time, the two of them also developed real estate and built homes in the Flint area. Jack’s professional affiliations included the Flint Independent Auto Dealers Association, serving as its President, Michigan Independent Automobile Dealers Association, serving as Director and Treasurer, and National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, serving as Director.

Jack was a supporter and over 65 year member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Flint. He was a Life Member of the Flint Elks Lodge #222 and a member of the Flint Elks Club Glee Club. Other memberships included the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, Thunderbolt Pilots Association, and Presidents Club of Michigan State University. Jack and Joan were benefactors of the Michigan State University Broad School of Business; their support established the Jack W. and Joan M. Wiltz International Business Scholarship as well as a Study Room at the MSU Business Library. They also were sponsors of the Flint College and Cultural Center and supported, among other organizations, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, World War II Memorial, Flint Public Library, Sloan Museum in Flint, and the Old North Church in Boston, MA.

Jack was inducted into the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 as a member of the 1946 Weller’s Service Softball Team.

Jack is survived by his children Cheryl (Bruce) Elliott of Ann Arbor, MI; Nancy (Dr. Richard) Bennum of Stowe, VT.; Dr. John Wiltz (Vicki) of Naples, FL; and Mark (SiYul) Wiltz of Birmingham, MI. He is, also, survived by 10 grandchildren, Michael (Dawn) Wiltz of Charlotte NC; Jennifer (Paul) Catanese of Seattle, WA, Lauren (Jon) Grabowski of Charlotte, NC; Scott Wiltz of St. Louis, MO; Andrew (Mari) Wiltz of Grayling, MI; Courtney (David) Burkart of New York, NY; George (Carrie Alexander) Bennum of Jericho, VT, Marissa (Matthew) Streng of West Bloomfield, MI; Russell Bennum of Colchester, VT; and Griffen Wiltz of Milford, MI; and nine great-grandchildren, Koston and Curren Wiltz; Peter and James Catanese; Hadley and Harper Grabowski; Esther Bella Bennum; and Hunter and Emelia Streng. In addition to his wife and parents, Jack was predeceased by his infant twin brothers Herschell F. and Welles, Jr.

On Monday, July 13, 2020, 11:30 A.M. - 12:30 PM, a private family visitation was held at Swartz Funeral Home in Flint, MI. followed by private family burial, with Military Honors, held at 2 PM at Lakeview Cemetery in Howell, MI. Father Dan Scheid of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church officiated at the Internment. The family plans to hold an appropriate memorial gathering for Jack at a future date.

The family expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the Birch Staff at Glacier Hills for their gentle loving care and support of our father, grandfather and great-grandfather these past four years. We, also, thank BrightStar Care of Ann Arbor for their kind care since December 2019.

Those wishing to make a charitable donation in Jack’s memory are asked by the family to consider the Jack W. and Joan M. Wiltz Business and International Trade Scholarship, Michigan State University, 62689 Collections Center Drive., Chicago, IL 60693-0626; Air Force Museum Foundation, P.O. Box 1903, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433-1903; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 711 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502 or a charity of your choice.