JOSEPH SWARTZINSKI JR.

Joe was the son of Joseph and Sophie (Langa) Swartzinski. He was born in Orchard Park, New York on Nov. 30, 1931. The family moved to Ossineke when Joe was 2 years old. He was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the United States Army. In 1956, he married his wife of 69 years, Marion (Zoeplitz) at St. Mary Catholic Church in St. Clair, Michigan. Joe was a truck driver for Northeastern Transport for 20 years, retiring in 1994. He enjoyed gardening, taking care of his honeybees, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife, Marion; daughters, Elaine (Charles) Miller, Janice (Tracy) Vallance; grandchildren, Katie (Jason) Romel, Megan (Adam) Hardies, Sydney Vallance; great-grandchildren, Maci, Conner, Eli Hardies; brother Leonard Swartzinski; and sister, Celia Anderson.

Joe was preceded in death by his sisters, Regina Werda, Lorraine Taylor, Helen Detloff, Rose Bushey, and brothers, Julius and Mike.

Memorial visitation will take place Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at St. Catherine Catholic Church from 10 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at noon with the Rev. Basil Lek officiating. Military honors will be accorded him by Alpena V.F.W. Post 2496. Cremation arrangements have been handled by the Bannan Funeral Home.

Inurnment: St. Catherine Cemetery

Memorials: St. Catherine Kitchen Fund