Joseph Frank Kurek

Mr. Kurek passed away Thursday, August 11, 2016 at the Villas of West Branch with his family by his side. Age 86 years. The son of the late Frank and Lottie (Sampson) Kurek was born May 8, 1930 in Saginaw, MI. Mr. Kurek attended St. Luke's United Methodist Church. He retired from the Bay City Housing Commission, then upon retirement he was a self-employed general contractor. Mr. Kurek loved gardening, enjoyed woodworking, fixing anything that didn't work, fishing, hunting, going to the casino and playing euchre. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict and was a member of the D.A.V. Left behind to cherish his memories is his wife the former Elaine M. Weiss whom he married May 31, 1952; three children, Gary Kurek; Cheryl (Vaughn) Dietzel; Terry Kurek and Vicki Sutherland; his grandchildren, Justin (Jessica) Dietzel; Stephanie Garzon and Chris Burbeck and Kelsey Kurek; his great grandchildren, Kailey Maxwell; Ethan Garzon, Kobe Govitz, Keadon Dietzel, MaryKay Burback and Kaide Dietzel; his sisters, Gloria (Tom) Grunwell; Helen (David) Kwaiser; Dorothy Bierlein and Dolores Symanski; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his sister, Lorraine. Funeral Services will take place Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke's United Methodist Church 206 N. Scheurmann St. Essexville, Mi 48732. Officiating will be Rev. Eric Stone with interment following in Floral Gardens Cemetery followed by Military Honors conducted by the Bay County Veterans Council and the U.S. Navy. The family will be present at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Monday to receive family and friends from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mr. Kurek will be taken to the church on Tuesday to lie in state from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider donations to Wishes of the Family. www.gephartfuneralhome.com