A EULOGY to GEORGE W. SPITTLER
"His heart was as big as a mountain -                                              
                            and his honesty as deep as the ocean..."

gwspittler
George W. Spittler
1883-1958


George W. Spittler was one fine man who had a sincere interest in his community.  His heart was as big as a mountain - and his honesty as deep as the ocean.  Neither race, creed nor color ever warped his attitude toward people, or limited his friendships - to all who came his way in need, he was "Mr. George".

Copy of Lake View Local Newsletter (July 1944) produced for men and women in the Armed Services with message from George W. Spittler

During the depression years, many families in the area were kept off the relief roles through his generosity and kindness.  In the era of "hobo" abundance, Spittler's Food Store in Lake View, NY was known from coast to coast.  Whenever trains would stop on the New York Central, Pennsylvania or Nickel Plate, the "hobos" would come running for a free handout.  Even many of those wanderers greeted him with a cheery "Mr. George" and would remark about their last stop 2 to 3 years before.  He always gave them their choice of cold cuts and even dressed their lunch with an apple, orange or banana.

His friends were an endless number who had felt or heard of his kind heart, and his adversaries were a paucity of shameless deadbeats who defaulted after feasting on his generosity.  At his bier, an elderly immigrant with tears in his eyes grasped my father's hand and said, "Mr. George - you giva me my firsta sacka flour when I no gotta money or nothin' to eat - I neva forgetta you."

His generosity was devastating to what could have been a small fortune, but his laborious devotion to business, family and community left little time for the physical pleasures money could have provided.


George W. Spittler Residence
Built 1931 - Lake View NY

He took great pride and personal satisfaction in knowing that he could look the whole world in the face knowing that he had nothing wrongfully gained and that he had given society a great deal more than he had received.

He was not an active church member, but he lived and abided by every moral principle of Christianity.  If real pleasures and rewards are received in Heaven - George Spittler is having his day.


- written by Donald "Duke" Spittler, his son
© Copyright 2000-2024 DJSpittler
Submitted by Susan Ward Merk, granddaughter of G. W. Spittler

Read Interview with Donald Spittler - 1987


George Spittler also helped form the Lake View Volunteer Fire Dept. in 1924, and served as its Chief for 23 years. Edith and George Spittler had 5 children - Kenneth (1904-1987), Carolyn (1906-1953), Naomi (1910-1994), Charles (1909-1999 ) and Donald (1918- ). 

George, Edith and daughter Carolyn are buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Eden, NY.

Click HERE for photos of the Family of George W. & Edith Metz Spittler spittlermetzphotos

 

  poem  POEM WRITTEN BY GEORGE W. SPITTLER     MAP OF NORTH EVANS, NY IN 1880
spittlertree SPITTLER FAMILY TREE     DESCENDANTS of GEORGE W. & EDITH METZ SPITTLER metzspittlertree     FAMILY PHOTOS photoalbum
spittlermetznarrativeSPITTLER-METZ NARRATIVE   INFO ON LAKE VIEW, NY
lakeviewny   INFO ON LV FIRE ASSOCIATION

Tribute to Spittler-Ward Families in LV 150 Book

Also visit my Family website on Ancestry.com at  
http://trees.ancestry.com/fhs/home.aspx?tid=4590788
 


SITEMAP          HOME           SEARCH

    
Susan Ward Merk's HOMEPAGE SBMerk's Homepage
For questions or comments on this webpage contact: sbmerk at verizon.net
© Copyright 1999-2022  Last Update: 12/07/2022

CARPEDIEM!-seiz2day.com