John George "Spitz" Goodman

Mr. John George "Spitz" Goodman, age 93, loving husband, uncle and friend, passed away Sunday, January 13, 2008 at the Harbor Hospice Poppen Residence. He was born May 23, 1914 in Muskegon Heights, MI to Paul and Frances (Whoppel) Goodman and lived his entire life in the area. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force and served 2 years during WWII. Spitz worked 41 years at Lakey Foundry and retired as a foreman in 1972. On December 26, 1942, he married the former Rose S. Yopek in Muskegon and she preceded him in death on April 20, 1986. Spitz was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spring Lake and the First Catholic Slovak Union Branch 595. He was also a member of Tatra Hall and a life member of VFW Post #3195. Spitz loved being with his family and especially enjoyed the annual picnics at his home on the 4th of July. He enjoyed hunting mushrooms with his buddies. He was an avid listener and dancer to polka music and enjoyed listening to the radio program "Polka Melodies" on Saturday mornings. SURVIVORS include his sister, Eleanor Hornik of Muskegon Heights; sister-in-law, Shirley "Dawn" Goodman of Muskegon Heights; many nieces and nephews; and friend, Marie Hodges. He was also preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, Bertha Cherney, Irene Vanderlaan-Arnold, and 1 brother, Victor Goodman. THE FUNERAL LITURGY will be celebrated 11:00 AM Thursday, January 17, 2008 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Leonard Sudlik presiding. INTERMENT will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery with Military Honors offered by VFW Post 3195. VISITATION with Spitz's family will be 2-4 and 6-8 PM Wednesday at The Lee Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 6291 S. Harvey Street (231) 798-1100 The rosary will be prayed at 7:00 PM Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to Mass, 10-11 AM Thursday in the Victor Miller Room at Sacred Heart. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be directed to the Poppen Residence of Harbor Hospice to whom the family is most grateful for the care Spitz received.