James J. Fitzthum

CLINTON — James J. Fitzthum, age 73, of Clinton, Ind., and formerly of Willoughby Hills, Ohio, was born into eternal life on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. Jim was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Jan. 15, 1942, the son of the late Nathan J. and Jennie R. Fitzthum (nee Kozlevcar).

He worked for Eaton Axle Corp. as a tool and die maker, Matrix-Churchill Corp., and the National Acme Co. as a field service engineer. His jobs allowed him to travel throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe. In addition to working full time, Jim also worked as a mechanic for the Sears & Roebuck Co. at the Great Lakes Mall in Mentor, Ohio, for many years. He was a member of AMLA Lodge 40 (Clairwoods). Jim was a man of few words who could make or repair just about anything. He was a victim of the polio epidemic in the late ‘40s, but never allowed his disability to get in the way of anything.

In his younger days, Jim enjoyed fishing, camping and hunting. He was a graduate of Collinwood High School and the Cleveland School of Engineering. He was a founding member of St. Noel Catholic Church in Willoughby Hills, Ohio.

In 2010, Jim moved to Clinton to be closer to his son and grandchildren. He then became a member of St. Joseph University Parish in Terre Haute.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of over 51 years, Marilyn C. Fitzthum (nee Lada); son, Matthew J. Fitzthum (wife Peggy C. Wesley-Fitzthum); grandson, Nathan A. Fitzthum; granddaughters, Sidney E., Jenna R. and Daisy M. Fitzthum, all of Clinton, Ind.; sister, Diane G. Varney (husband Larry); niece, Laurie A. Trevino; great-nephew, Pvt. Emilio L. Trevino; and great-niece, Alejandra A. Trevino, all of Akron, Ohio.

Jim was greeted in heaven by his parents Nathan and Jennie, and his father and mother-in-law, Alexander and Mary.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to St. Joseph University Parish’s Samaritan Food Pantry, 113 S. Fifth St., Terre Haute, IN 47807, in Jim’s memory.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, at St. Joseph University Parish. Friars Fred Pasche OFM Conv. and Savio Manavalan OFM Conv. will concelebrate the liturgy. Visitation will be held from 2:30 until 4:30 p.m. that day at church with the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 4:45 p.m. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Park at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in the Garden of Tranquility.

Arrangements are under the direction of Simple Cremations and Burials.