James R. Amstutz

JAMES R. AMSTUTZ, 48, of Lisbon, Iowa, passed away at his home Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005, from cancer. Born July 6, 1957 in Fort Wayne, Ind., he was the son of Richard and Bonnie (Mitchell) Amstutz and was married to Susan Peters on Oct. 30, 1981. A Fort Wayne native, he graduated from Harding High School and IPFW. He is best remembered as a radio personality for WEZV, and as a PA announcer for the Fort Wayne Komets Hockey Club and the Wizard Baseball Team. Racing was his passion, and he was very involved in some of the local racetracks. He was a PA announcer for the Avilla Speedway in Avilla, Ind., the PA announcer and Public Relations person for the Baer Field Speedway in Fort Wayne and the PA announcer and Race Promoter for the Angola Motor Speedway in Angola, Ind. In 1998, he became the General Manager and Race Promoter for Hawkeye Downs Fairgrounds Speedway in Cedar Rapids and continued there until his death. Survived by his wife, Susan of Lisbon; his father, Richard and stepmother, Nita Amstutz recently from Tarpon Springs, Fla.; father-in-law, William Peters of Fort Wayne, Ind.; stepsisters, Beth Ann Navickas and Jan Barr, both of Tampa, Fla. Services were held Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Interment in Lisbon Cemetery, Lisbon, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, friends may, if they wish, make contributions to the Iowa State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 2508 Veterinary Administration, Ames, Iowa 50011-1250. Please leave a message, tribute or memorial to the Amstutz family on our webpage, www.cedarmemorial.com, under Obituaries.