Martin Vitek

Martin Vitek was a man with a big heart and a love for life that radiated from his every fiber. He was a man who knew how to work hard, yet he loved to kick back and relax too, and was happiest when he was surrounded by his family. Martin loved to pull pranks, bringing joy and laughter to all those within his reach. He had a way with young children, which was not a surprise to those that knew him since it is his fun-loving spirit that will be so dearly missed.

The 1920s were a rich time within the fabric of our nation’s culture as the time of peace led to many Americans who were ready to enjoy themselves. People enjoyed the newest craze within the world of music with the sounds of jazz, watched greats like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb play baseball, or took in a movie on the silver screen. Also enjoying this exciting time were Martin and Mary (Nagy) Vitek, of Ovid Township, Michigan, as they were rejoicing in the healthy birth of their son, Martin, on May 20, 1923. Martin’s parents emigrated from Hungary and came to the United States through Ellis Island, providing Martin with a love for his country and a drive for a successful life. As a young boy, he was raised on the family farm located on Parks Road in St. Johns where they raised pigs, cows, chickens, and they even grew a little tobacco for their private use. Martin was a very active boy and with brothers in his family, there were several knock-down fights amongst the boys, keeping their mother on their toes as boys so often do! Martin was even charged by the family bull on one occasion, but Martin picked up a large hammer and hit that bull between the eyes and stopped him right in his tracks. The bull never charged anyone again!

In October of 1929, our nation became gripped within the claws of the Great Depression and remained tightly held there for the next decade. Times were tough for many American families and the Vitek family was no exception. They were lucky though, as they always had plenty to eat with the products of their family farm. These years very much shaped the man who Martin became as they instilled within him not only a strong work ethic, but also an appreciation for things both great and small. Martin’s father taught him how to work hard and at times, it was not unusual for Martin to hold down three jobs at once.

After he graduated from high school, Martin left the family farm to serve his country during a time of need. On December 7, 1941, our nation was viciously attacked on our homeland at Pearl Harbor, leaving us to declare war the very next day. Martin joined the Army and although he never went overseas, he became a staff sergeant and was in charge of training the troops before they were shipped out. Martin also worked for the military post office for a time.

Upon his return to civilian life, Martin returned to Michigan and settled in Lansing where he found employment with the John Bean Company, a manufacturer of many leading brands of automotive wheel service equipment. Martin remained with John Bean for several years until they closed in Lansing, leaving Martin to find alternate employment. He then went to work at Universal Electric in Owosso, Michigan, until he eventually retired.

While he was busy building his career, Martin attended a fateful dance in Owosso where he met the woman who would forever change the course of his life. Her name was Violet and a bit smitten with her, he asked her to dance – she accepted. What began with a dance, blossomed into a relationship, and they were married on January 24, 1948, having fallen deeply in love. With this union, Martin gained so much more than a wife as he was also blessed with her two children from a previous marriage, Sharon and Doug. Martin loved these children as if they were his own and although he was stern with them when needed, they always knew that Martin deeply loved them unconditionally.

When he was blessed with leisure time, Martin enjoyed pursing a few of his passions. He liked hunting, but was especially passionate about fishing. He was able to satiate this love more often when in 1965, he purchased a cottage on Houghton Lake, located in the center of the state just 60 miles southeast of Traverse City. This became his favorite place to gather with his family and where numerous family memories were made with the generations that were to come.

There were many things that made Martin such a special man to so many. He always said that he didn’t want to hang around a bunch of old people and that he wanted to hang around the young people instead, perhaps because Martin was a kid at heart. He always had a way with young children, and he was a practical joker as well. Martin loved his family and spent time with them as often as he could.

Life became more difficult for Martin in 1993 when Violet’s health began to fail, and then again in 1995 when she passed away. Martin continued on, however, still finding the joy in each new day. In 2000, he was delighted to make the acquaintance of Dorothy Jean Leon and soon, the two were inseparable. Although they never married, they spent ten happy years together, even traveling to Mexico and Alaska. Sadly, in November of 2008, she passed away, which also led to the decline of Martin’s own health until he drew his last breath surrounded by his loving family.

Martin Vitek lived his life by embracing each moment and making it his own while bringing joy to all those around him with his funny pranks and witty sense of humor. Everyone knew that Martin loved his family, and that he was never afraid to work hard. He leaves behind lessons in how to love life and the importance of cherishing one’s family, weaving a rich tapestry of memories that will be forever treasured all those who knew and loved him. He will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.

Martin B. Vitek died on August 2, 2009. Please visit www.lifestory.net, where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, or sign the online guestbook.

St. Johns

Martin B. Vitek died August 2, 2009 at the age of 86. He was born May 20, 1923 in Ovid Township, the son of Martin and Mary (Nagy) Vitek. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns. Martin is survived by his daughter Sharon (Robert) Altvater and son Douglas (Pat) Jacobs, along with 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Martin is also survived by his brother, Vincent (Hannah) Vitek. Martin was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Violet. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 A.M. Thursday, August 6, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns with the Rev. Fr. Eoin Murphy officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Rest Cemetery in St. Johns following the mass. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2-4 pm and 6-8 P.M with a prayer service at 7 P.M. at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St. in St. Johns. Memorials may be made to Sparrow Hospice. Learn more about Martin, view his Life Story film and visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/50368, where you can archive a memory or photo, and sign his memory book before coming to the funeral home. Military graveside services provided by the St. Johns Honor Guard.