Children of Samuel and Jewel Stitt

James Patrick “Pat” Stitt, age 80 of Fremont, passed away Thursday, November 14, 2019 at the Transitional Health Services in Fremont. Pat was born on December 17, 1938 in Fremont to Rev. Sam J. and Jewel L. (Zeckzer) Stitt II and later married Olivia Rock with whom he shared the love of Gospel music. Before health issues kept him homebound, Pat attended Inspire Church, A Wesleyan Community where he had been a charter member of the youth group.

Pat loved the Lord, and freely shared his faith and his path to redemption. He played and sang in a gospel band until his health issues prevented him from doing so. He worked in factories, construction jobs, logging and on the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline until he discovered his true calling as a Barnwright and owned and operated JP Stitt and Sons Barn Preservation. Following the steps of his father and uncles, Pat worked on old barns, returning them to their former glory and passed down the love of the work to his children.

Pat is survived by his wife, Olivia; his children, Julia (Chris) Millard of Las Vegas, Nevada; Lynette (Dean) Hintz of Harrison, Michigan; Sonja (Morris) Bishop of Cedar Springs, Michigan; Wesley (Rebecca Iverson) Stitt of Evart, Michigan; Daryl (Cindy) Stitt of Sears, Michigan; Anthony (Michelle) Stitt of Indianapolis, Indiana; his daughter-in-law, Janet Stitt of Hesperia; his brothers and sisters, Ron (Pauline) Stitt of Holton; Terry (Shirley) Stitt of Three Rivers, Michigan; Bert (Linda) Stitt of Madison, Wisconsin; Samuel James (Peggy) Stitt III of Hesperia; Leah (Yogi) Antoniewicz of Deerbrook, Wisconsin; Michael (Chris) Stitt of Willow, Alaska; Esther (George) Davis Jr. of Fremont; 23 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Pat was preceded in death by his son, Mark Stitt on June 27, 2019; his sisters, Karon Schwartz and Nancy Miller.

Ronald A. Stitt, age 83 of Holton, passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at the Meijer Heart Center – Corewell Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.  Ron was born on October 20, 1939 in Holton to Samuel J. and Jewel L. (Zeckzer) Stitt II.  Ron met and later married Pauline Britton on March 7, 1958 in Marion, Michigan and they moved to the Holton area where they had been residents for 56 years.  Ron founded Patron Construction in Holton which he operated until 2005 and later built Holton Store and Lock, which he operated with his wife Pauline, until their retirement in 2014. Ron attended the First Free Methodist Church in Muskegon. He served the Lord in various roles, including mission trips to Haiti, Mexico and Israel.  He enjoyed golfing, and fishing, had served as building inspector for Holton Township and Holton Township Supervisor.  Ron was well known for his engineering and building abilities and enjoyed building, repairing, tinkering and fixing many items for family and friends. 

Ron is survived by his wife of 64 years, Pauline of Holton; his children, Carolee (Russ) Cole of Cedar Springs; David (Louise) Stitt of Holton; Timothy (Paula) Stitt of Hudsonville; Robert (Lori) Stitt of Holton; Martin Stitt of Zeeland; 10 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; his sisters and brothers, Terry (Shirley) Stitt; Bert (Linda) Stitt; Samuel J. (Peggy) Stitt III; Leah (Robert) Antoniewicz: Michael (Chris) Stitt; Esther (George) Davis; his brother-in-law, James Schwartz; sister-in-law, Olivia Stitt; many nieces, nephews.  Ron was preceded in death by his sisters, Karon Schwartz and Nancy Miller and his brother, Pat Stitt. 

 SCHWARTZ, KARON, Ph.D., RN Centreville, MI Age 70, passed away Tuesday, April 8, at her home. Karon was born in Muskegon, MI on November 10, 1943, a daughter of Samuel and Jewel (Zeckzer) Stitt. On Thanksgiving Day November 23, 1972 she married James A. Schwartz in Goshen, IN. Karon graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in Vancleve, KY in 1961. She continued her education at Kentucky Mountain Bible College in Vancleve, receiving an Associates Degree in Religion in 1964. Karon later attended Goshen College receiving her Bachelors Degree in Sociology in 1971. She then pursued her Nursing profession receiving a Masters Degree in Nursing from Andrews University in 1990 and received a PHD in Nursing from Wayne State University in 2002. Karon began her career as Nursing instructor at Glen Oaks Community College serving from 1990 to 1997 and at Western Michigan University from 1990 to 2001. She has held the title of Graduate Program Nursing Director at Bethel College since 2005 and served as Dean of Nursing from 2008 to 2010. Karon has also served as a Nurse at Three Rivers Health since 1997 and was active in the Hospice program from 1989 to 2001. Surviving are her husband James A. Schwartz; sons James (Kelly) Schwartz Jr. and their children Leonard and Joel of Leonidas, TJ (Tracy) Schwartz and their children Colton and Dakota, of Centreville; sisters Nancy Miller, Petal, MS, Leah (Robert) Antoniewicz, Antigo, WI, Esther (George) Davis, Fremont, MI; brothers James (Olivia) Stitt, Hesperia, MI, Ronald (Pauline) Stitt, Holton, MI, Terry (Shirley) Stitt, Three Rivers, Bert (Linda) Stitt, Madison, WI, Sam (Peggy) Stitt III, Hesperia, MI, Michael (Chris) Stitt, Willow, AK; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. Relatives and friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 8 P.M at Eley Funeral Home in Centreville and 10 to 11 A.M on Friday at Church of Nazarene in Three Rivers. Religious Service will be held at the Church Friday at 11:00 A.M with Reverend Robert Anderson officiating. Interment of ashes will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Centreville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Three Rivers Health Hospice or Dr. Karon Schwartz Endowment Scholarship c/o Bethel College School of Nursing. Online messages may be left for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com

Karon legally changed her middle name from Louise to Stitt, her maiden name.

Nancy L. Miller, 72, of Purvis, went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at the residence of her son, Jimmy, surrounded by her loving family.  A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at the Peace Ridge Baptist Church in Purvis.

Nancy was born on January 15, 1946 in Muskegon, MI to Sam and Jewel (Zeckzer) Stitt.  On June 23, 1966, Nancy married Larry Lower in Goshen, IN (later they were divorced).  Then on November 30, 1973, Nancy married Ervin W. Miller in Goshen, IN.  In 1979, Nancy and Ervin moved their family to Purvis, MS where they lived and raised their family.  Ervin passed away on May 4, 1992 in Jackson, MS.  She is also preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Jewel Stitt; sister, Karon Schwartz; and a Step-grandson, Jonathan Miller.

She is survived by a son, Jimmy (Melissa) Lower of Purvis; a step-son, Carl (Susan) Miller of Lyon, KS; three step-daughters, Debbie Burnice of Goshen, IN, Chris (Ron) Stanford of Nappane, IN, Cindy Miller of New Paris, IN; six brothers, Pat, (Olivia) Stitt of Freemont, MI, Ron (Pauline) Stitt of Holton, MI, Terry (Shirley) Stitt of Three Rivers, MI; Bert (Linda) Stitt of Madison, WI, Sam (Peggy) Stitt of Hesperia, MI, Mike (Chris) Stitt of Willow, AK; two sisters, Leah (Yogi) Antoniewicz of Deerbrook, WI, and Esther (Junior) Davis of Freemont, MI; five grandchildren, Tony (Emily) Purvis of Oloh, Amanda Lower, Nicholas Lower, Hannah Lower, Shain Lower all of Purvis; twelve step-grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews as well as great-great nieces and nephews.