Hermann Fitz Obituary
Hermann Fitz, 83, of Eau Claire, Michigan, went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on August 31st, 2025, in St. Joseph, Mi, surrounded by his beloved family.
Hermann was born to Adolf and Martha Fitz on Nov. 26, 1941, in Dubidze, Poland. After losing their farm in Volhynia to the war, but escaping with their lives, the Fitz family immigrated to Coloma, Michigan, in 1952. Hermann thrived in the US and graduated in 1961 from Benton Harbor High School. In 1963 he graduated from the first Manpower Job Training Machine Shop program in Berrien County, and then in 1968, a tool and die apprenticeship program through Lake Michigan College.
Hermann was a master tool and die maker. He diligently worked for Paramount Die Casting Co, Auto Specialties Manufacturing Company, and Weldon Industries before dedicating the final years of his career to Hanson Mold, where he was frequently assigned the most challenging projects. As a faithful member of Oakridge Community Church, Hermann served for decades as Sunday School Superintendent and enjoyed singing bass in the church choir.
In 1964, he married Adel Rutsch. The two of them built a wonderful life together for 60 years on their farm in Sodus, Michigan, where they raised three children and kept chickens, farm animals, many barn cats, dogs, fruit trees, flowers, and a large vegetable garden. Hermann especially grew close to his grandchildren, Andrew, Brittany, and Caitlin, who lived right next door. He was grateful for being cared for by them in recent years.
Hermann loved the forests and the fields, and he enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing with his family (as long as they put their own worms on the hooks and took their own fish off). Hermann also excelled at collecting projects. With legendary ingenuity and perseverance, he could repair almost anything given enough time and the replacement parts, which he often had lying around somewhere, just waiting to be somehow adapted to fit.
Hermann is survived by his sister, Elfrieda (Fitz) Krebs of Stevensville Mi; his children: Reinhard “Reiny” Fitz (Becky), Rev. Karen Fitz La Barge (Bill), and Lori Brodie (Paul); his grandchildren: Andrew Fitz, Brittany Stallings (Mark), Caitlin Davis (Dennis), Elisa “Vox” La Barge, Madison Brodie and Aiden Brodie; his great granddaughters: Aria and Gweneth Stallings; as well as many dear nieces, nephews, in-laws and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his cherished wife, Adel Fitz in 2024 and his infant son, Gerhard Fitz in 1968, as well as his parents, Adolf and Martha Fitz and four of his siblings: Erwin, William, Hultreich “Rudy” and Berthold Fitz.
A viewing will be held at Oakridge Community Church, 766 Oakridge Rd, St. Joseph, Michigan, at 9:00 am on September 6th, 2025, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 am with interment at Riverview Cemetery. A luncheon celebrating his life will follow at the church. Memorial contributions for Hermann are requested for Meals on Wheels Southwest Michigan and Oakridge Community Church. Those wishing to share a memory of Hermann online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
