Galitz, John Edward 1917-2012

GALITZ, NEWMARCH, CHANDLER, MARCEK, SHELTON, JACOBS, MUHL, SMITH, BRENNEMAN, JOHNSON

Posted By: Ruth Maring - VOLUNTEER
Date: 5/17/2012 at 20:57:19

Mr. John E. Galitz, 94, of DeWitt, Iowa, died Wednesday morning, April 25, 2012 at Westwing Place, DeWitt.
John Edward Galitz was born November 23, 1917, in Fedora, South Dakota, to Herman and Fannie (Newmarch) Galitz. In 1939, he enlisted in the United States Cavalry 14th Regiment, until the Cavalry was phased out to become the 11th Armored Division of the United States Army. During World War II, John fought in Belgium. He received the Purple Heart for injuries received in the Battle of the Bulge. On May 2, 1948, John was united in marriage to Rose Chandler at the United Methodist Church of DeWitt. He worked at the Iowa Mutual Insurance Company as a computer programmer and ultimately served as the data processing manager for that department. He retired from Iowa Mutual in 1980, following 35 years of service.

He was a longtime member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, DeWitt, serving as a Trustee. John was also an active member of the DeWitt Noon Lions Club, where he received many local, state, and national awards for his years of service to the organization. He was an active supporter of the Central Community School District, where he volunteered his time working the down-markers at football games and running the clock at basketball games and wrestling meets for over 30 years. John also volunteered as a featured speaker for the American history classes, speaking to students about his experiences during World War II.

Those left to honor his memory are his loving wife of nearly 64 years, Rose; daughters and sons-in-law, Marianne and Kent Marcek of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Andrea and Hal Shelton of Calamus, Iowa; grandsons, Joshua Jacobs and his wife, Kristi of Bettendorf, and Luke Shelton and his fiancée, Jessica Muhl of Grand Mound, Iowa; a great-granddaughter, Audrey Jacobs and a great-grandchild due in October; sisters, Millie Smith of Bettendorf, Jo Brenneman of Des Moines, Iowa, and Grace Johnson of San Antonio, Texas.

Preceding John in death were his son-in-law, Phil Jacobs, his grandson, Matthew Jacobs, his parents, four brothers and four sisters.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2012 and from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Saturday, April 28, 2012 at First Congregational United Church of Christ, DeWitt. A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, in the Church. The Rev. Jeff Wartgow will officiate. Military rites and burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be designated to First Congregational UCC of DeWitt, the DeWitt Area Veterans Memorial or Saber Athletic Booster Club.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Jacobs, Luke Shelton, Dana Brenneman, Robert Smith, Bill Anderson and Gary Alden.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com