Obituary for James Frederick Splitt
James Frederick Splitt, age 86, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2020.
Jim was born in Ann Arbor, on August 2, 1933 to parents Merrell Frederick and Phylis Frances (Goetz) Splitt and raised with his siblings, Phil and Diane . After graduating from Ann Arbor High School, Jim enlisted in the United States Army. In 1953, just before being deployed to Korea, Jim married his childhood sweetheart, Margaret Suma. Upon his return home, he began working at Varsity Laundry and worked his way into a management role. He worked for Varsity Laundry for eighteen years. In 1973, he and Margaret purchased Gold Bond Cleaners in downtown Ann Arbor and operated it together as a family business. Jim enjoyed going to work every day, working with his employees and serving his customers.
Jim enjoyed being active throughout his life. He was an enthusiastic fastpitch softball player and played for
several local teams and spent many years enjoying the sights and sounds of nature while on hunting and fishing trips. Jim was a member of Ducks Unlimited and was very active in the Ann Arbor Jaycees. He spent the last of his retirement years living in his cottage on Gallagher Lake.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Merrell Frederick and Phylis Frances Splitt; and his wife of 62 wonderful year, Margaret Suma Splitt.
Jim is survived by his children, Carole (John Eichler) Splitt Eichler and John (Judy) Splitt; his granddaughters, Jennie (Matt) Cipriano and Carrie (Brett) VanDeRoer; his great-grandchildren, Luke, Emily, and Ben Cipriano and Ellie VanDeRoer; and his siblings, Phil (Marleen) Splitt and Diane (John) Newman.
Private cremation services have taken place. Memorial contributions may be made to Arbor Hospice.
Jim was born in Ann Arbor, on August 2, 1933 to parents Merrell Frederick and Phylis Frances (Goetz) Splitt and raised with his siblings, Phil and Diane . After graduating from Ann Arbor High School, Jim enlisted in the United States Army. In 1953, just before being deployed to Korea, Jim married his childhood sweetheart, Margaret Suma. Upon his return home, he began working at Varsity Laundry and worked his way into a management role. He worked for Varsity Laundry for eighteen years. In 1973, he and Margaret purchased Gold Bond Cleaners in downtown Ann Arbor and operated it together as a family business. Jim enjoyed going to work every day, working with his employees and serving his customers.
Jim enjoyed being active throughout his life. He was an enthusiastic fastpitch softball player and played for
several local teams and spent many years enjoying the sights and sounds of nature while on hunting and fishing trips. Jim was a member of Ducks Unlimited and was very active in the Ann Arbor Jaycees. He spent the last of his retirement years living in his cottage on Gallagher Lake.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Merrell Frederick and Phylis Frances Splitt; and his wife of 62 wonderful year, Margaret Suma Splitt.
Jim is survived by his children, Carole (John Eichler) Splitt Eichler and John (Judy) Splitt; his granddaughters, Jennie (Matt) Cipriano and Carrie (Brett) VanDeRoer; his great-grandchildren, Luke, Emily, and Ben Cipriano and Ellie VanDeRoer; and his siblings, Phil (Marleen) Splitt and Diane (John) Newman.
Private cremation services have taken place. Memorial contributions may be made to Arbor Hospice.