John F. Wodwaski Jr.

Mr. John Frank Michael Wodwaski Jr., 79 of Parisville, passed away unexpectedly Sunday afternoon, January 7 at the Harbor Beach Community Hospital. He was born on June 22, 1938 in Ubly to the late John and Emma (Chwalisz) Wodwaski Sr.. He married Elaine Oparka on August 6, 1960 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Parisville. John spent his life in Parisville, attending St. Mary Catholic School in Parisville and then graduating from Ubly High School. After school, John joined the Army Reserves. He worked at several local companies, including Booms Silo, Longuski Silo, Nestles Milk Distribution and as custodian and bus driver for St. Mary Catholic School. He was proud to have worked for more than 30 years at General Cable in Cass City. In his later years, John worked for Randy Warchuck Construction for a few years. John was an active parishioner at St. Mary Catholic Church, St. Isidore Parish in Parisville where he was a member of the St. Isidore Men’s Club, Eucharistic minister and sang with the choir. He was also a member of the Ubly Fox Hunter’s Club and the Ruth Knights of Columbus Council #3823. John enjoyed watching football, baseball, especially the Detroit Tigers and Walker Texas Ranger, tending to his garden and enjoying the fruits of his labor. John loved being surrounded by family and friends. John is survived by his wife, Elaine Wodwaski; seven children, Jeanette (Joe) Geiger of Bad Axe, Barbara (Cass) Lackowski of Lincoln Park, Mike Wodwaski of Parisville, Mary (Gary) Labor of Bad Axe, John (Nadine) Wodwaski of Troy, Patrick (Sheri) Wodwaski of Providence Forge, VA, Mark (Stephanie) Wodwaski of Warren; beloved Papa to 17 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; three sisters, Bernadette Messing of Minden City, Lucille Wodwaski of Midland, Kathy (Rene) Bede of Burton; one sister-in-law, Bernadette (Robert) Schwalm of Ubly; three brothers-in-law, Laverne (Angie) Oparka, Arnold (Rosemarie) Oparka, Timothy (Nancy) Oparka; many cousins, nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his brothers, Dennis and Peter Wodwaski; sisters, Mary Grace and Adrian Wodwaski; brother-in-law, Vincent Messing. Mass of Christian burial will be 11 am Saturday, January 13 at St. Mary Catholic Church, St. Isidore Parish in Parisville. Rev. Todd Arnberg, pastor will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the spring. Visitation will be at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly on Friday from 2-9 pm and Saturday from 10-11 am at St. Mary Catholic Church. There will be a joint rosary Friday evening at 7 pm by the St. Isidore Men’s Club and the Ruth Knights of Columbus. Memorials have been requested to the Family Discretionary Fund.