STANLEY JOSEPH WOZNIAK

Stanley “Stas” Joseph Wozniak, 93, of Posen, passed away peacefully at home on May 6, 2024.

Stanley was born on Sept. 25, 1930, in Posen, to Stanley Sr and Rose (Rygwelski) Wozniak.

He met his soulmate, Virginia Smigelski, and they were married at St. Casimir Church in Posen on July 21, 1951, and were blessed with 69 years of marriage. Virginia preceded him in death on July 5, 2021.

His faith was unwavering. He attended or watched Mass daily on TV and said multiple rosaries praying for all of us. Stanley was a firm believer in hard work and instilled those values in his family. He was an extremely generous person who often gave his time and was always more than willing to help others who were in need.

He was employed at the US Steel Calcite Plant as a safety inspector for over 30 years and was the proud founder and owner of Stanley Wozniak Insurance Agency in Posen. This started out as a desk in the corner of the living room, moving into an office within the house and finally to its current location in downtown Posen. He made many lifelong friends that he treasured. In the early days, there were often adjustors who came to make their visits and stayed for dinner enjoying a good home-cooked meal along with homemade bread and sitting at the table with the entire family. Stan continued working at his insurance agency until his retirement in 1995.

Some of Stanley’s best times were spent at “WozWay Hunting Camp.” He loved getting together at camp with his family whether it was for hunting, putting up blinds, having a barbeque, catching suckers and having a fish fry, playing cards, watching a game of baseball or softball in the field, or watching a good game of basketball on the camp basketball court. He could often be found checking out the property on his quad, mowing the fields and roads, and making sure everything was well maintained. At camp or at home, he always had a beautiful lawn and would be out mowing the grass twice a week like clockwork. For over 25 years, Stas enjoyed spending time with Virginia in Fort Myers Beach where they vacationed each winter. They welcomed their family and friends sharing their love for this area. Stan was an avid Detroit Tigers fan, often adding his chairside words of wisdom to help with team success.

Dad was always so proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved going to their school activities, athletic events, high school and college graduations, family gatherings and loved hearing about things they were doing and what was going on in their lives. He shares and celebrates his birthday with his granddaughter Stacy and was very proud of that. He looked forward to frequent family visits and his Sunday mornings that were spent listening to “Polka Party.”

Stanley was a member of Posen Knights of Columbus Father Szyper Council # 6657; Posen Potato Festival Parade Grand Marshal with his wife Virginia; past member of the St. Casimir’s Church Building Committee, church lecturer, Past President for the Posen High School Board of Education where he served for over 25 years; past member of Posen Chamber of Commerce, Huron Oil Bowling team, Little Pines Hunting Club, Rogers City Servicemen’s Club, and Presque Isle County Baseball/Softball League. In 1990, Stan was inducted into the Presque Isle County Men’s Softball Hall of Fame. He was involved in officiating softball, baseball, and basketball and his children continue to follow in his footsteps officiating junior high, high school and college sporting events. Stas ran the clock at Posen High School Basketball games for many years.

Stanley is survived by his eight children: Chuck (Joette) Wozniak; Ken (Ginny) Wozniak; Cheryl (Kevin) Kranzo; Frank (Tami Morrow) Wozniak; Donna (Pat) Couture; Mary Ellen Wozniak; Michelle (Joel) Styma; Linda (Hardy Tulgestka) Sharpe.

13 grandchildren: Matthew (Stacy) Wozniak; Melissa (Todd Schwalbach) Wozniak; Angela (Jason) Kowalski; Tom (Connie) Wozniak; Victoria (Allen) Brashaw; Jeremy (Audrey) Kranzo; Stacy (Ben) Skiba; Scott (Autumn Wesner) Couture; Anna (Nathan Lenard) Couture; Brad (Hannah) Styma; Austin (Michael) Klein; Travis (Jenna) Sharpe; Jared (Ryann Clancy) Sharpe.

17 great-grandchildren: Lindsey and Alex Wozniak; Jacob, Jenna, and Julia Kowalski; Harper, Hudson, and Hadley Wozniak; Nolan and Avery Brashaw; Kayla and Katherine Kranzo; Blair and Bryce Skiba; Kenleigh and Westin Klein; Rowan Sharpe; and Baby Sharpe who is due in July 2024.

Two siblings: Blanche (Raymond-Deceased) Meyers and Raymond (Laurie) Wozniak.

He was preceded in death by his parents Stanley and Rose; brothers Frank, Phil, Casimir and sisters, Anna Konwinski, Theresa Purol, Gertrude Dembny; Clara Gajsiewicz; Martha Misiak; Esther Momrik, Emily Ratkowiak; and Loretta Lewandowski.

Special thank you to our wonderful caregivers. Each of you took such great care of Dad and treated him like one of your own. We are forever grateful that you were able to assist us so that Dad was able to remain in his own home.

Family and friends may visit at the Beck Funeral Home in Rogers City on Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. where the Posen Knights of Columbus will lead the rosary at 5:30 p.m. Parish prayer service will begin at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume Friday at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Posen beginning at 1 p.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Charles Donajkowski officiating.

Interment will follow at St. Casimir Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to St. Casimir Catholic Church.

Online condolences may be addressed through www.beckfuneralhome.org