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June 28, 2016

Joseph P. Czerniak



Joseph P. Czerniak
Died June 26, 2016


CEDAR – Joseph Peter Czerniak, 77, of Cedar, passed away Sunday, June 26, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

   Joe was born Aug. 12, 1938 in Cedar the son of Florian and Regina (Galla) Czerniak. On May 2, 1959 at Holy Rosary Church he married his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Martha H. (Laskey) Czerniak, who survives.

   Joe served our country for four years by enlisting in the Army Reserves. Joe purchased the family farm while working as a brick mason. In 1984, he began his own company, Czerniak Masonry which he ran until 2000 when he retired. As a farmer, he raised beef cattle and grew strawberries, cherries and apples. He also enjoyed the family pond and the fish he stocked in it. Joe never sat still and was always busy working both in his masonry job and the farm. He would work all hours of the day or night to complete what needed to be done on the farm. He also enjoyed helping his neighbors and anyone else in the community in need of assistance.

   Joe was an avid sportsman who loved fishing, hunting, the Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons and Lions. Joe was loyal to Chevy vehicles and Case tractors. As a founding member of the Cedar Hill Toppers he believed there was no better snowmobile then a Polaris.
He was active in his community as a member of the Centerville Township Board, Cedar Fire and Rescue, Cedar Rod and Gun Club and Holy Rosary Parish. He also volunteered every year with the raising of the tents for the Cedar Polka Festival and to demonstrate his dedication to the community, he brought his grandsons along to learn the value of living in a community.

   Joe loved a good game of euchre and a shot of black berry brandy and all flavors of ice cream. His family has fond memories of traveling in his truck listening to Polka music and/or County Gold Saturday Night. He always said Rock n Roll stations were foreign stations to him.

   Joe was a hardworking man with a foundation of faith, family and deep love for his grandchildren.

   Joe is survived by his wife, Martha, his children; Linda (Jeff) Baltz, Brenda (Jim) Stricker, Christopher Czerniak, Sheila (Scott Buchholz) Czerniak, Alison (Jason) Beebe; his siblings, Tom (Emily) Czerniak Sr., Martha Schaub, Louise (Anthony) Nemeskal, Florian Czerniak Jr.; and his grandchildren, Tyler, Luke, Jake, Justin, Cierra, Carter and Tyler Buchholz.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Bernard Joseph Czerniak; his siblings, Claude (Laura) Czerniak, Marie (Edward) Skeba, Agnes Czerniak-Mikowski, Clara Whitman and infant sister, Lillian Czerniak.

   Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. with the Rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. at Holy Rosary Church of Isadore.

   The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 30 at Holy Rosary Church with the family greeting friends one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery of Isadore. Father Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant and Father Donald Libby as co-celebrant.

   Memorials may be directed to ALS Association, 678 Front Ave NW, Suite 177, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504 and/or Cedar Fire Rescue Association, PO Box 74, Cedar, MI 49621.

   Condolences may be shared with the Czerniak family at www.martinson.info.

   Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.

   As Joe liked to say "One more and I've gotta go!"
 

4 comments:

  1. Our condolences on the loss of a great man. Those dads of ours new how to live life. He will be greeted with open arms in heaven ❤

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  2. Anonymous8:56 AM

    My deepest sympathy to you and all the family, Joe was my best friend growing up on the farm. and have many good memories there. My Love and prayers to all the family. May Joe Rest in Peace. Your cousin, Lorraine (Pleve) Spencer Ken and I are married 57 years also.

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  3. Lorraine Pleva Spencer9:44 AM

    My deepest sympathy to you and all the family. Joe was my best friend growing up on the farm and have many good memories there. My love and prayers to you and all the family. God bless you,Martha. Your cousin, Lorraine Pleva Spencer. Ken and I are married 57 years also.

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  4. Glenn and Judy LaCross7:57 AM

    Joe was a very special man. He was a hard worker, dedicated to his family, so generous to Holy Rosary in the hundreds of projects he oversaw, a great role-model in many ways. Glenn and he were buddies at the Club -- Glenn says they could always connect and he will truly miss Joe. We send our sincerest condolences to Marty, the kids and grandkids. May Joe now rest in peace in the loving arms of our Lord, whole of body once again, heading up all the masonry work in Heaven! God bless and keep all of you Czerniak family. You'll be in our thoughts and prayers as you work through your grief and find a new normal, but the void will always tug at your heart. Love, Judy and Glenn

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