Albert L. Stepka

Albert L. Stepka, 74 of Palms, went to his new life with the Lord on Sunday, May 13, 2012 after a short illness while at home wunder hospice care. He was born on March 17, 1938 in Croswell to William and Barbara Petre. At 18 months old he was adopted by the late Leo and Agnes (Lemanski) Stepka and was raised in the Argyle/Ubly area. Albert attended the Freiburg Elementary School and was a 1956 graduate of Ubly High School. He worked as a toolmaker/fixture builder for Chrysler Corp. for 30 years. After his retirement, he began his own business, Sporting Ammo. He was a licensed manufacturer of ammunition and made shotgun shells that were sold all over the United States. He belonged to Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited. He loved to hunt and observe wild life, especially birds that came to eat at feeders he designed and provided for them. Albert is survived by his wife of 39 years, Patricia of Palms; his sister, Barbara Salowitz of Ubly; six sisters-in-law and their spouses; one brother-in-law and his wife; 9 nieces and 13 nephews, many great and great great nieces and nephews; his beloved Lab, Bob. Albert was preceded in death by one brother-in-law, Mark Salowitz; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Marian Monahan. The funeral Mass will be 11 am, Wednesday, May 16 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palms. Rev. Peter Nwokoye, pastor, will officiate. Visitation will be at the Smigielski Funeral Home on Cass Ave in Minden City on Tuesday from 3-9 pm and on Wednesday from 10-11 am at the church only. There will be a parish vigil service Tuesday evening at 7 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Heartland Hospice or St. Patrick church in Palms. Please visit www.smigielskifuneralhomes.com to sign the guest book for Albert’s family.