David James Blatz

David “Dave/Hizer” James Blatz, 86, of Elkhart, passed away on Tuesday, July 15th, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born in Nappanee, Indiana on October 24th, 1938, to Dorothy Opal Blatz (Bowman) and James Lawrence Blatz. 

On October 1st, 1960, in Elkhart, he married the love of his life, Bobbie L. Blatz (Crout). Surviving them is their two daughters, Tracy (Bradley) Reiners of Pierre, South Dakota, Veronica (Jesse) Adams of Elkhart, Indiana; five grandchildren, Brittney Hamilton of Indiana, Alex Reiners and his fiancé, Emma Gobble, of Iowa, Jessica Reiners and her partner, Randy Davis of Iowa, Faith (Jeff) Dubert of Iowa, and Kacie Adams and her partner Kevin Potts Jr of Ohio; and brother, Fred “The Giz” Blatz of Clearwater, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife. 

David graduated in 1956 at Elkhart High School. In 1957, he joined the Navy and was discharged in 1959. He retired in 2002 from Syndicate Systems in Middlebury. He was a member of the Northside Baptist Church of Elkhart, Indiana. After losing his wife of 63 years, he met his girlfriend Pat Huntsberger in Elkhart, Indiana and they lived together at Harmony Assisted Living. 

David was an exceptional husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed teaching his daughters how to ride a bike in their younger years, taking his grandchildren on adventures such as Missouri, and watching his favorite sports teams, the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers, at home. He would often sneak in sweet treats for himself and his loved ones, even though he knew it wasn’t good for him. He loved bowling and fishing with his grandchildren. He collected model ducks and would proudly showcase them in his homes throughout the years, and he enjoyed looking at custom cars and line dancing.

In lieu of flowers, David requests that donations be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To leave condolences online, please visit: www.elkhartcremation.com.

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