J. Alvin Stiritz, age 78, of Upper Lake, CA passed away in Healdsburg after courageously enduring life with a locked in stroke.

With the heart of a lion, he stayed strong for his family, always greeting everyone with a smile.

He was born in August 1934 in Pittsburgh, Penn., to Harry Stiritz Sr. and Dorothy Stiritz.

The family later moved to California where he graduated from Inglewood High School.

He enlisted in the US Air Force where he was awarded airman of the month and was stationed in Marrakesh and Florida. After the service he went on to work at PAN AM/LAX where he met his lovely wife, Loy Elliott of Ukiah, Calif., and started their family in Inglewood, Calif., later moving to Marin County.

While vacationing, they fell in love with beautiful Blue Lakes in Lake County, Calif., and soon relocated. He loved to fish, boat, swim, travel, camp, garden, ride his motorcycle and raise milk goats with his family.

He later retired from a 20-year career with the federal government and spent much time happily surrounded by his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and cousins, Russ, Dewey and Bob Stiritz.

He is survived by his former wife Loy of Lucerne, Calif.; his four children, Tanya Stiritz and son Harris, of Palo Alto, Calif., Ken (Katie) Stiritz and children Nitasha, Chentelle, Jadon and Gabriel of Lucerne, Takara (Josh) Stiritz and children David, Kenley and Finton of  Portland, Ore., and Joel (Deborah) Stiritz and children Bryce, Beaux and Bristol of Lakeport, Calif.; brother, Harry “Skip” Jr. (Sharon) Stiritz  and children Tammy (Kip) Long, Pegi (Jimmy) Stone, Jim (Susan) Stiritz and Allen (Catja) Stiritz; sister, Dee (Mike) McReynolds and children Keith (Erin) Mc Reynolds, Shauna (Jason) Ianni and Megan McReynolds; cousins, Chuck Hamre, Beverly Stiritz, Don (Sandy) Stiritz, Jeanne
(Dan) and Larry Hampton, and Gaye and Denny Krch, Jeanne(Dan) Hampton Chesser, Larry Remsted and Colleen, Shelly Hampton and Gaye Hampton Hartlip.

His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary with interment to follow at Upper Lake Cemetery.

Flowers and cards can be sent to Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 1625 N. High St., Lakeport, CA  95453. Donations can be made to the American Stroke Association.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes at 707-263-0357 or 994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .