John C. Fitch died Friday, August 18, 2017 at the age of 90. He was born July 12, 1927 in Muskegon, MI the son of John S. and Florence (Agate) Fitch weighing in at just over three pounds. John had a brother, Robert born two years later. John’s father passed away when he was nine years old. His mother remarried a couple of years later to a good family friend, Robert G. Camfield whose wife had died. Robert Camfield had four sons, Robert, Jim, Clare and Herbert and one daughter, Virginia. Florence and the Fitch boys moved to Baldwin, MI where Mr. Camfield owned a saw mill and lumber business. John got his driver’s license at the age of 14 and had a permit to drive to the refinery in Alma, MI to get gas for his stepfather’s (better known as Pa) business. John worked summer months at the saw mill for his stepfather. He graduated from Baldwin High School where he played basketball, sang in a quartet and also worked at the movie theater. John joined the Air Force in May 1946 and earned the rank of Sergeant before his discharge in May 1949. He spent most of his time in occupied Japan after WWII as a radar and radio mechanic. In the fall of 1949 he started college at Tri-State College graduating in December of 1951 with degree in Electrical Engineering. While in college he met Sylvia McEntarfer, who was still in high school, at a ballgame. This was March of 1950 and they were married July 29, 1950. December of 1950 John and Sylvia moved to Owosso, MI where he went to work for Universal Electric Co. for his first job out of college. Owosso is where John and Sylvia raised their five sons, John, Thomas, Roger, Bruce and Bryan. John played golf, hunted small game, fished and loved to play cards with family and friends. He also coached little league baseball with Sylvia’s help. John was a member of the YMCA for many years serving as President of the Y’s Men Club and helped build a log cabin at the Y outpost. The Fitch family was members of the First Methodist Church where John served on the Board of Directors. Sylvia helped in Sunday school, the nursery and the kitchen, preparing and serving dinners. In 1967 John and his boys along with a carpenter started to build their home on Lake Manitou. They moved into the house in December 1969. In 1989 John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He soon retired from Johnson Controls and for almost two years he did whatever pleased him. He fished a lot with Pa, his stepfather whom he dearly loved. Sylvia retired in 1991from Sears and in October of 1996 they moved to Florida for nineteen years. John golfed and fished until he could no longer drive or do outdoor activities he loved, so he started making canes and knives which he gave to friends. John was still able to play cards so friends would come to his home since he was in a wheelchair by now and it was difficult for him to go to other homes. In March of 2015 John and Sylvia moved back to Michigan to be closer to family and able to see their beautiful grandchildren and great grandchildren that live here. Surviving is his wife of 67 years, Sylvia; five sons, John (Linda), Thomas (Wanda), Roger (Judy), Bruce and Bryan; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert and all the Camfield siblings. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, August 24, 2017 at Lowe United Methodist Church 5485 W. Lowe Rd. St. Johns with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck and Mr. Tim Brussel officiating. Interment will take place at 2:30 PM at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Owosso. The family will receive relatives and friends for one hour prior the service at the church. Military honors will be provided by the St. Johns Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or Heartland Hospice. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
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