Submitted by: Dan Rich

Joseph David Spite

Oct. 10, 1925 - Sept. 17, 2001

South Bend Tribune 9/20/2001

On Sep. 17, 2001, at 8:40 a.m., Joseph David Spite, 75, passed from this life to a better one. Born in Mishawaka on Oct. 10, 1925, to Zaden and Freida Spite, he loved and served his county. He was a veteran of World War II, stationed in the Philippines. He also loved and dedicated his life to his family. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, John Spite, Fredrick Spite and Jacob Spite; and by two sisters, Martha Spite and Sadie Curtis.

He is survived by his wife, Edna Elizabeth Spite of Mishawaka, Ind.; three stepchildren, Thelma Jean Schultz of Savannah, Tenn., Willow Dean Strett of South Bend, Ind., and Mary Nell Sacremento of Savannah, Tenn.; seven children, Steven Phillip (Kaye) Spite of Rochester, N.Y., Glory Ann (Gary) Whitehouse of South Bend, Tabitha Jean (Gilbert) Brown of South Bend, Timothy Dean (Mary) Spite of Mishawaka, Ind., Jonathon David (Denise) Spite of Rochester, Paul Fredrick (Sally) Spite of Warsaw, Ind., and Mary Hope (Mark) Paustian of Mishawaka; 23 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

His love for his family is best expressed by this poem written by his son, Steven.

With the hope of a better life to come, he passed away peacefully in his sleep. Our Dad was the sweetest father, grandfather, and friend any child could have had. He was also a wonderful husband to our mother. We will miss him greatly.

In 1979 our father donated his body to the Indiana University School of Medicine in the hope of helping to advance medical science. For this reason, there will be no funeral. As Dad said, "Those I love and who loved me, I will see in the resurrection with our glorified bodies." The family will hold a memorial service for his many family members to say goodbye …… for now.

An open house for friends will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on S aturday, Sept. 29, at the residence.