Clarence E. "Pete" Spitz

Clarence E. “Pete” Spitz, 88, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away peacefully with family members at his side at 10:46 p.m.  Friday, April 13, 2018 in Memorial Hospital. Pete was born on February 11, 1930 in Mishawaka, Indiana to Anthony and Agnes (Petitjean) Spitz. Pete, together with his father, nurtured the land on the family farm for over 50 years. He was a hard worker who was willing to put in as many hours as needed to provide for his family, working also many years at EWI (formerly Allied Products) until he retired in 1994. Pete was a devout Catholic and had been an active member of parishes in the South Bend area. Pete enjoyed fishing, Line dancing, country music, ice cream and chocolate, and was always ready to strike a conversation with strangers. He is survived by his adored wife of 62 years, Arlene M. Kwiecinski. Pete and Arlene were married on May 7, 1955 at St. Hedwig Church. Also surviving are his six daughters, Michele (husband Gerald) Warrell of South Bend, Indiana, Carolyn Spitz (husband Phiroze Petigura) of Palo Alto, California, Kathleen Petitjean (husband Jonathan Burke) of South Bend, Indiana, Laurie Cooley of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Jennifer Spitz (husband Steve Ewert) of Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Sharon (husband Kelly) Cardona of Cincinnati, Ohio; his son, Michael (wife Karen) Spitz of Yorktown, Virginia; seventeen grandchildren, Gregory, Sister Mary Augustine, Rachel, Sister Immaculata, Mark, Teresa, Daniel and Janelle Warrell; Erik (wife Alana Ju) Petigura, Ryan Petigura; Brittany, Patrick, and Matthew Spitz; Loretta and Colin Ewert; and Owen and Alice Cardona; his two sisters, Laverne Barczykowski and Margaret (Gerald) Gloster both of South Bend, Indiana;  and his brother, Andrew Spitz of South Bend, Indiana. Pete was preceded in death by two sisters, Harriett Miller and Lorrene Nemeth. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2018 in St. Hedwig Church. Burial will take place in St. Joseph Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, where a rosary will be prayed at 7 pm. A visitation will also take place from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. Wednesday in the church. Pete was a member of St. Hedwig Parish and Golden Cluster. To send online condolences, please visit kaniewski.com.

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