James Wallace Pitsch

On Wednesday, January 24, 2024 James Wallace “Wally" Pitsch went to be with his Lord and Savior at the age of 93. He was born in North Dorr, MI, September 29, 1930 to Clarence and Esther (Herp) Pitsch. The sixth of their eight children, Wally was raised by relatives after the death of his parents in 1940 and 1943. Wally and his wife, Joan (May), were joined in holy matrimony in 1952 and celebrated over 71 years together in marriage raising their eight children.

Wally started his career at Muller’s Baking Company in 1949 which then became Oven Fresh Bakery where he worked until his retirement in 1988. Spending 36 of those years as a semi-truck driver, he was a proud member of Teamsters Local 406. Wally was a decades long parishioner at St. Mary’s Visitation Parish in Byron Center, member of Knights of Columbus, and Dorr Moose Lodge. He spent many years on bowling leagues at Chez Ami and enjoyed golfing, cards, and trapping snapping turtles in his retirement. Ever the card sharp, you could always count on him to be ready for a game of Euchre, Cribbage, or Poker, and we are proud to say he had quite the winning record.

Surviving Wally is his wife, Joan; children Patrick (Bonnie), Diane Jones (Terry), Michael (Holly), Ellen Bartz (David), Ann LaRoche, and Robert Pitsch; Lori and Helmut Jungschaeffer and Diane Pitsch; sister, Paula Williams; brother, Ronald (Dorothy); sister-in-law, Mary Lou Heffron; 20 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; more than 50 special nieces and nephews; over 100 great-nieces and great-nephews; and countless friends, especially those from his card games.

In addition to his parents, Wally was also preceded in death by two children William and Gale; brother, Clarence; siblings and their spouses Marilyn and William Miller, Delmar and Noraine, John and Frances, and Loren and Arlene; brother- and sister-in-law Edward and Marge May; brothers-in-law Phillip Heffron and Joseph Williams; grandson, David Bartz; son-in-law, Wayne LaRoche; and grandson-in-law, Ryan Paul.

The Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Monday, January 29, 2024 at St. Mary’s Visitation Catholic Church, 2459 146th Ave. SW, Byron Center, MI, with Fr. Christopher Derda celebrant. The family will receive relatives and friends from 12-4:30 p.m. Sunday, January 28, with a Rosary to be said at 4:30 p.m. at Cook Funeral Home, 2067 84th St. SW, Byron Center, and visitation 10-10:45 a.m. Monday at church.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the SMV Restoration Fund or SMV Educational Fund by visiting https://smvchurch.org/donations or mailing donations to 2459 146th Avenue, Byron Center, MI 49315. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresbyron.com in their online guest book.