Steven H. Spitzer

Steve H. Spitzer was born in Maryland to Paul, a map maker, and Diane, a housewife, in 1960. He is predeceased by his parents, two sisters, and one brother. His early childhood was spent in Lyndon Michigan- on a small farm where he had his own horse. He always reminisced about how those were the best times of his childhood, besides going fishing with his dad and visiting his grandparents.
In Steve's early teens the family moved to Fenton. He loved going to "The Shepherd's House"- which his father founded. It was a Christian hangout for teenagers, with numerous speakers and Christian bands from all over the country. During this time Steve was an apprentice of his dad's to be a map maker. Steve found that lonely and boring.
As Steve grew up, he was involved in weightlifting and interested in Boxing. At 22 years old Steve found out he had Polycystic Kidney Disease and would eventually end up on dialysis. It was a big disappointment as Steve had to stop training in the sport he loved so much.
In 1984 Steve and his former wife had a beautiful daughter named Jamie Lynn. She was the apple of his eye and the center of his heart. He has sorely missed her for many years and prayed for her wellbeing every day of his life.
Steve had various occupations. He worked at a Fish Market in Florida (stinky!), and was an Environmental Services and Pharmacy Technician at St Joe's Hospital in Pontiac. Steve found his passion in construction specializing in Cultured Stone on new homes.
Steve has always enjoyed being involved in Church and Bible studies his entire life. Steve met Rhonda in 2000 at a Christian retreat in Muskegon Michigan. Their journey took them north of Gaylord for 3 years. At that time Steve was working three jobs. There were many health issues for Steve to face and he never lost his faith in Christ and never let it stop him from working and living the best life he could. Steve's favorite Bible story is found in John 3:1-21. Steve had an apartment very close to Vanderbilt Community Church, where he became the Sunday School Teacher for the Seniors. They loved Steve and he has remained close friends with the Pastor, Fred Nose of Dewitt, all these years. It was quite a journey with Steve's health, moving back down state to start dialysis October 11th, 2004.
Steve has cherished his many friends. They were truly his family and wonderful support system. In 2021 Pastor John Weidman, of Oak Point Church in Novi, orchestrated a "Team Steve" group that attended and met every need. Such a blessing! Steve was also able to go to Man Camp 3 years in a row with his great friend named Steve, from Wixom. He loved and appreciated each and everyone's kindness and camaraderie.
Steve's journey ended after being on dialysis for 20 years and 5 months. Another loyal attentive friend, Howard, brought Steve home from the hospital for what would be the last 3 days of his life and kept him comfortable. His wonderful wife Jamie made a beautiful dinner for him! Friday morning Steve insisted on going home with his pup, Hutch. Howard helped him clean up, as Steve was determined to get on that bus to go to dialysis one last time. The guy was amazing....
During the dialysis years he had several ministries. He would have prayer blankets quilted by his friend at the Nazarene church and then gift to them a Bible and knitted slippers- which he purchased from a sweet lady he met at dialysis. He passed those out in gift bags to dialysis patients, and others as well, for years. Later he got into Christian coloring books and would frame the pictures and pass them out with Bibles as well to anyone that the Lord put on his heart.
Steve was a member and took pride in maintaining Detroit Nazarene Church in Northville inside and out for 14 years. Steve loved people, he gathered up several guys from his Bible Study and they started to meet weekly on Tuesdays for lunch. Usually, they met at The Rainbow Chinese Restaurant in Farmington Hills. This has gone on for years. Bob Stahl has remained very close friends with Steve, mentoring him and helping him any way he could all these years.
Steve and Rhonda parted ways after 17 years. About a year later Steve had another major life-changing medical issue. He needed surgery on his spine and was not expected to walk again. Dan and Janie Radloff, a wonderful couple that loved Steve as family, watched out and cared for him as well as welcomed him into their home while he recovered from the excruciating endurance of learning to feed himself and to walk again. He would never have made it without their love and determination to care for him and help him anyway they could. In 2020, when covid hit, Steve called Rhonda and said he was having it rough. She went over to his home right away and started helping him in any way she could. They remained special close friends until the end of his life.
Within the last 5 years Steve coached and mentored kids at a Livonia Boxing Club. He was so happy being there and praying for these kids. He met a special young man named Brendon who aspired to become a boxer for a very short time. This young man has been amazing at keeping in touch with Steve, sending pictures and correspondence of his new career for the underwater pipeline in Washington State.
Steve's dog, Hutch, has been by his side for 8 years. They have truly been inseparable. Hutch has brought so much happiness and love into Steve's life and was with Steve at his apartment to the very end.
Steve is a member of Bell Creek Church in Livonia. He faithfully attended Men's Bible Study. He has had numerous Godly men helping him with all his needs. Kirk, one of the Elders at Bell Creek church, oversees the men's Bible Study and made sure that all of Steve's needs were met through the group. Dan and his wife from Bell Creek faithfully picked Steve up Sunday after Sunday for the last 4 years and helped in many other ways. Then Ron would come over daily and walk Steve's dog for him, bring him homemade spaghetti, clean his home and put together all the stuff Steve continually ordered on Amazon! Nunzio was amazing at calling Steve every single day for the last several years, checking in on him. Steve's trusted and devoted neighbor Sue, has helped in more ways than I can count, assisting him with rides to urgent care, grocery delivery, and prescription pick-ups. As well as many more loyal Christian men at Steve's side. Although Steve had years of suffering and pain, all his friends knew without a doubt Steve was NEVER a quitter. He was STRONG and persevered when most people would have thrown in the towel and given up. He refused Hospice care and took the pain saying, "I'm not leaving this Earth until the Lord takes me!". We have all learned something through Steve's perseverance and faith. He never ever gave up. There will never be another person like him that will come into our lives. I for one thank God he came into mine.
We will never forget Steve Spitzer and will miss him dearly. He was a good, kind, funny and fearless man who knew he would enter Heaven through his salvation from Jesus Christ when he left this Earth. Too many friends to mention, but you all know who you are! What is better than the family of Christ? A Memorial is to be held at a later date. Arrangements have been made by Charles Step Funeral Home.
Contributions are welcomed in Memory of Steve Spitzer to Bell Creek Church located at 30000 Five Mile Rd. Livonia Michigan, 48154.