Howard G. Stanek

  Howard G. Stanek, 87, of East Jordan, died Saturday, September 21, 2019, in Petoskey.

  He was born on June 6, 1932, in the Bohemian Settlement in Jordan Township, the son of George and Mary (Weisler) Stanek.    On January 3, 1956, he married Beverly L. Hill. 

  He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict as a diesel mechanic aboard boats.

  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Jordan and the East Jordan Masonic Lodge F&A.M. 

  Howard had served on the East Jordan Fire Department for 20 years and had served as Fire Chief for several years.  In honor of Howard, one of the department’s fire trucks was named, “ Big Howie”.  Howard had also served 13 years on the East Jordan Ambulance Service and several years as a ward leader for the City of East Jordan. 

  Howard was once a Detroit Tiger fan who loved to watch baseball.  He enjoyed hunting, John Deere tractors and telling stories.  Howard was one of the founding members of the East Jordan Snowmobile Club.  He was a trail boss and loved to ride. He also enjoyed reading W. Bruce Cameron’s dog books.  He was loved by his companion dog, Molly, who will miss him.

  He is survived by his wife, Beverly L. Stanek of East Jordan; five children, Sherry (David) Crane of East Jordan, Jeffrey (Carol) Stanek of Portsmouth, Virginia, Brian (Karen) Stanek of Vanderbilt, Lisa (Marty) Ernst of East Jordan and Teresa (Doug) Stark of East Jordan; eleven grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; two sisters, Elizabeth M Ciszewski and Vera Derenzy, both of East Jordan; as well as several nieces and nephews.    He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert Stanek.

  A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Jordan with interment following in St. John Nepomucene Pioneer Cemetery, Jordan Township, Antrim County, Michigan. 

  Visitation will be Tuesday 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc. in East Jordan with a rosary service at 7:00 P.M.  In lieu of flowers, please direct contributions to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 207 Nichols St, East Jordan, MI 49727.

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