Obituary for Roy Spitzley

Roy Carl Spitzley, age 82, of Sunfield, was called home on Saturday, November 25, 2017. Roy was born on February 7, 1935, in Ionia, MI to Leo and Theresa (Fox) Spitzley. He was a graduate of Portland St. Patrick High School and a longtime parishioner at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Portland. After serving in the U.S. Army (post-war Korea), he returned to successfully farm, which he did until his retirement. He married MaryAnn Bohil on May 11, 1957, in Lansing, MI. They were married 25 years and had five children. MaryAnn passed away on March 7, 1983. Roy married Alice Simon on August 21, 1987, in Pewamo, MI. They were married 26 years. Alice passed away on September 10, 2013. Roy loved a good laugh, cards, golf, Florida in the winter, friends and family. Roy’s final 18 months were spent at Green Acres Assisted Living in Ionia, MI, where he entertained the wonderful staff with his humor and received many visitors, including lifelong friend, Jerry Schrauben. Roy was preceded in death by his father and mother; brothers, Leo, Robert, Harold, David, and Jerome; sisters, Joan and Alice; numerous brothers and sisters-in-law; and grandson, Adam Miller. He is survived by his children, Tim (Jodi) Spitzley, Bryan (Sue) Spitzley, Cindy (Phil) Ritter, Brenda (Dan) Armbruster, and Mark (Katie) Spitzley; step-children, Ron (Carol) Simon, Barb (Ben) Wesley, Bruce (Kristine) Simon, Scott (Lorri) Simon, Therese (Jeff) Hudak, Beth (Dennis) Hagan, and Dawn Feldpausch; 27 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brothers, Philip and Alvin (Rosemary); sister, Wilma Schmitz; brother-in-law, Ed Schmitz; sister-in-law, JoAnn Spitzley; and many nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Larry King at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Portland. Rite of Committal will follow at Sunfield Cemetery. The family will receive friends, Monday from 1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Lehman Funeral Homes, 210 E. Bridge Street, Portland. The rosary will be prayed at 3:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lakewood Education Foundation, St. Patrick Catholic Church of Portland, Sunfield Area SPYs, Great Lakes Caring Hospice, or Green Acres Assisted Living, in memory of Roy. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.