ELKHART -- Vida Mae "Pat" Spitzer, 76, of Elkhart, died at 10 a.m. Thursday (Nov. 27, 2008) in her home after a three-year battle with cancer.

She was born Feb. 14, 1932, in Kosciusko, Miss., to Niles and Trudy (Myers) Cummins. She married Eugene R. "Red" Spitzer. He died May 25, 1983, in Elkhart.

Mrs. Spitzer is survived by two sons, Mike B. (Carol) Wise of Lincoln, Kan., and Bobby J. Wise of Elkhart; four daughters, Deb May-Kruse, Cindy Wise-Smith and Melody R. Wise, all of Elkhart, and Becky (Jim) Silvernail of New Paris; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one brother, Bobby Gene (Elaine) Cummins of Ethyl, Miss.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Lee and Orville "Sonny Boy" Cummins, and two sisters, Velma Procter and Carrie Joiner.

Mrs. Spitzer was a homemaker and had worked as an aide at Fountain View Nursing Home. She was involved with Horizon Learning Center and was a volunteer at Harvest Basket, Special Olympics and ADEC. She was known as the "Magazine Lady" at Elkhart Rehabilitation Center because she brought magazines for the residents to enjoy.

She was active in the community, enjoyed reading, cooking, yard work and jigsaw puzzles, and was an avid gardener. Her philosophy in life was "everybody is somebody special."

Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. Monday celebration of life service at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Pastor Mike Overpeck of Community Church of Waterford, Goshen, will officiate. Entombment will follow in Faith Mausoleum, Rice Cemetery, Elkhart.

Memorials may be given to ADEC, 19670 S.R. 120, Bristol, IN 46507. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.