Anthony C. Zitta

Anthony C. “Tony” Zitta, 96, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, July 27, 2006 at Jordan’s Nursing Home in Bridgman. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday at Christ Lutheran Church, 4333 Cleveland Ave., Stevensville, with Rev. Brad Kelly officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by Coloma American Legion Post #362, VFW Post #1137 of Benton Harbor, and VFW Post #6803 of Watervliet. Friends may call from 2:00 – 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial may be made to Christ Lutheran Church, Hospice at Home, or Jordan’s Nursing Home Activity Fund. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Zitta was born August 2, 1909 in Ruma, Yugoslavia to John & Anna (Hertz) Zitta. He moved with his parents at an early age to St. Joseph. Tony graduated from St. Joseph High School where he was a member of the 1926 State Championship Basketball team. He also played on the high school football team. Tony was inducted in 1990 to the St. Joseph High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He played baseball for the House of David, for Auto Specialties, and where ever he was stationed during his time in the military. He joined the US Army in 1928, and re-enlisted two more times, finishing his military career during WWII in the European Theater. Tony was a charter and the oldest member of Christ Lutheran Church. On March 16, 1940, he married the former Marian Lucker in St. Joseph. After her passing on February 14, 2002, he carried on the tradition of baking apple pies. He was known as the “Apple Pie Man” by all who were the recipients of his baking talent. Tony enjoyed playing pinnacle in his spare time with same group of friends for the last 50 years. Tony retired from Leco Corp. in St. Joseph after 25 plus years of employment. Tony is survived by his daughter Pamela (Steven) Subka of Stevensville; his son Mark (Karen) Zitta of Stevensville; two grandchildren-Todd (Cheryl) Subka of Grand Haven, Heather Subka of Phoenix, AZ; three brothers-Nick, John, & William (Bonnie) Zitta, all of St. Joseph; two sisters-Irene Becker of California, Marie Campbell of Florida; niece Sally (Hugh) Plunkett and their son Sean; as well as many other loving nieces & nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Frank Zitta.