David Michael Grifka

Mr. David Michael Grifka, 49 of Ubly, passed away Thursday, November 1, 2018 due to injuries sustained in a car accident.

            Dave was born on May 12, 1969 in Bad Axe to the late Jerry and Marie (Rumptz) Grifka. He married Denise Koroleski on April 27, 1991 at St. John Catholic Church in Ubly.

            He was a 1987 graduate of Ubly High School and enjoyed being a member of the FFA, playing football and farming. After high school, Dave attended Ferris State University. Once he obtained his electrical license, he began working for Kincaid Electric of Ubly and Maurer Electric of Bad Axe. Shortly after that, he joined Local #58 IBEW and stayed a member for 23 years. He worked for many contractors until he and his wife established Grifka Electric LLC in 2005. They owned and maintained the business for 2 ½ years. From there, Dave worked with many companies as a Project Manager/Estimator, until he found his place at Center-Line Electric. Dave may have never attended Michigan State University, he was a lifelong fan of MSU football and spent every Saturday of the season with family and friends yelling at the television. He coached the Smigielski’s Major League softball team for 5 years with his best friend. He loved camping, golfing, county tours with his buddies, bowling and rabbit hunting in his younger years. Dave was most passionate about spending most of his free time with his loving wife and children.

            Dave is survived by his wife of 27 years, Denise of Ubly; his children, Jenna and her fiancé, Nicholas Pagel of Ubly, Jamie Booms and her husband, Matthew of Harbor Beach, Jerry Grifka of Holland, Grace Grifka of Big Rapids; one sister, Tina (Brian) Pysher of Flint; one brother, Darrell (Virginia) VankyGrifka of St. Louis, MO; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Anthony and Jackie Koroleski of Kinde and their family; many nieces and nephews, especially Nichole, Adam, Mason Aidan, Drew and Reann.

            He was preceded in death by one sister, Tammy; maternal grandparents, Clarence and Vivian Rumptz; paternal grandparents, Mike and Agnes Grifka.

            Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 am Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at St. John Catholic Church, Good Shepherd Parish in Ubly, Rev. Charles Hammond, pastor will officiate.

Burial will be in the church cemetery.

            Visitation will be at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly on Tuesday from 1:30-8:00 pm and Wednesday from 9:00-10:00 am. There will be a parish vigil service Tuesday at 4:00 pm at the funeral home.

            In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Dave’s family, care of his wife, Denise.