Donald Lee “Don” Spitzke
October 16th, 1951 - September 23rd, 2023
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Don's Obituary
Donald Lee Spitzke, 71, of Baroda, passed away Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, September 28, 2023 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9193 Cleveland Ave., Baroda, with Pastor Ken Babcock officiating. Burial will follow at Ruggles Cemetery in Baroda. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, and from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Thursday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Berrien County Youth Fair. Those wishing to sign Don’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Don was born on October 16, 1951 to Arnold E. & Dorothy L. (Kolberg) Spitzke in Benton Harbor. He graduated from Lakeshore High School Class of 1970. On September 7, 1974, he married the love of his life, the former Jeanne Krieger in Bridgman. Don owned and operated Spitzke Farms in Baroda, which was founded by his grandfather and father, and still operated by his two sons. He enjoyed working the land to grow his crops and visiting with customers at the fruit stand, telling stories to and learning about the people he had just met, wherever he went. Don never met a stranger. He enjoyed participating in the Berrien County Youth Fair tractor pulls and also served on the tractor pull committee. In his free time, Don enjoyed polka dancing, tinkering with his farm equipment, and cherished the time spent with his family and many friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Don is survived by his children, Angela (Jeremy) Slater of Portage, MI, Matthew (Andrea) Spitzke of Niles, Andrew (Maggie) Spitzke of Baroda; grandchildren Dion & Shiloh Slater and Jonah Nitz; brothers-in-law Loren (Midge) Krieger & Jim (Barb) Plumley, and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded by his wife Jeanne on June 5, 2023, his parents, and two sisters Sandra Kay Spitzke, & Judy Lynn Plumley.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, September 28, 2023 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9193 Cleveland Ave., Baroda, with Pastor Ken Babcock officiating. Burial will follow at Ruggles Cemetery in Baroda. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, and from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Thursday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Berrien County Youth Fair. Those wishing to sign Don’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Don was born on October 16, 1951 to Arnold E. & Dorothy L. (Kolberg) Spitzke in Benton Harbor. He graduated from Lakeshore High School Class of 1970. On September 7, 1974, he married the love of his life, the former Jeanne Krieger in Bridgman. Don owned and operated Spitzke Farms in Baroda, which was founded by his grandfather and father, and still operated by his two sons. He enjoyed working the land to grow his crops and visiting with customers at the fruit stand, telling stories to and learning about the people he had just met, wherever he went. Don never met a stranger. He enjoyed participating in the Berrien County Youth Fair tractor pulls and also served on the tractor pull committee. In his free time, Don enjoyed polka dancing, tinkering with his farm equipment, and cherished the time spent with his family and many friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Don is survived by his children, Angela (Jeremy) Slater of Portage, MI, Matthew (Andrea) Spitzke of Niles, Andrew (Maggie) Spitzke of Baroda; grandchildren Dion & Shiloh Slater and Jonah Nitz; brothers-in-law Loren (Midge) Krieger & Jim (Barb) Plumley, and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded by his wife Jeanne on June 5, 2023, his parents, and two sisters Sandra Kay Spitzke, & Judy Lynn Plumley.
Memorial Contributions
Donations in Don's name may be made to St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Baroda
Donations in Don's name may be made to the Berrien County Youth Fair
Service Details
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