Joe Gerzetich

Joseph "Joe" Michael Gerzetich, 79, of Ontonagon, Michigan passed away peacefully on Friday, March 12, 2021 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital after having complications from Covid.

The beloved husband and father was born on March 23, 1941 to Frank and Katherine Gerzetich. He was married on December 26, 1964 to Delores Picotte. Together, they raised two sons, Joe and Tom Gerzetich. He graduated from Ontonagon Area High School in 1959. Upon completing high school, he enlisted in the Navy serving a duration of four years on the USS Antietam.

He was a member of The Holy Family Catholic Church of Ontonagon. Joe retired from Smurfit-Stone Container, after devoting 43 years of hard work, dedication and reliability to the paper mill never missing a day of work. In addition to being a hard working man, he was a Godly man with a servant heart.

He was an active member of The Rockland American Legion Post #92 volunteering countless hours. He had fond memories driving the Disabled American Veterans to the Oscar G. Johnson VA Hospital in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Along with making memories driving veterans, Joe spent much of his time participating in anything he could from marching in parades to working on projects with the Legion. With the utmost respect and love for his fellow service men, Joe never missed attending a funeral for the veterans of the Ontonagon County Veterans Association. He believed the most important thing we could do for them was honor them at their funeral, they earned it!

As one of the original members of the Norwich Country Club, he enjoyed spending time helping to build the float for the Labor Day parade each year and over the years had many great memories to share. Joe enjoyed spending time with family and friends, always lighting up the room with his vibrant smile and great sense of humor. He enjoyed "shootin' the breeze" with those around him, sharing the stories of life, and boy, did he have many!

He was a true family man and loved each member of his family so very much. Some of his favorite pastimes include hunting, trapping, gardening, making maple syrup, mastering his wine making skills and tinkering with his tractors. You could always find Joe enjoying the great outdoors or working away in his shop. Those who knew him can agree there was hardly a thing the brilliant man couldn't fix!

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Katherine Gerzetich, brother Matt Gerzetich, sister Fran O'Reilly, brother-in-laws Jim O'Reilly and Donald Wolf and nephew Jeremy Davison.

He is survived by his beloved wife Dee Gerzetich, two sons, Joe (Michelle) Gerzetich and Tom (Tammy) Gerzetich, two sisters, Mary Ann Wolf and Kay (Jim) Davison, two brothers, Bob Gerzetich and Jim (Kate) Gerzetich, four grandchildren, Hope (Benji) Malnar, Devin (Krystle) Gerzetich, Kaila (Matt) Paar and Courtney Gerzetich, four great grandchildren with one on the way, Bodhi and Eva Malnar, Nolan Gerzetich and Baylor Paar and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Our memories with Joe will be held close to the heart and forever cherished. His presence here on Earth leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.

The family would like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the wonderful team of medical professionals that provided exceptional care for Joe. Thank you to the Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital and Aspirus Wausau Hospital, their emergency room staff, ground transportation, flight crew and the critical care doctors and nurses! You are truly doing God's work and we are forever grateful.

The service and burial for Joe will take place on June 5th, 2021 at Holy Family Catholic Church,  located at 515 Pine Street in Ontonagon, with visitation from 10:00am - 11:00am, then memorial service at 11:00am. The burial with military rites will immediately follow at the Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joe Gerzetich, please visit our floral store.