Stanley Stolarz's Obituary
Stanley Stolarz, age 93, passed away Saturday, Sept. 10 in Grand Haven. He was born in October 1928 to John and Martha (Maciejewski) Stolarz and was a lifelong resident of Grand Haven. He met his bride, Evelyn Laura (Samdal), in elementary school. They married November 1953; and had six children.
Stan served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army and was part of the German Occupation Forces during World Word II. Upon his return, he started as a mechanic and worked his way up through tool & die, ending as a Foreman at Oldberg Manufacturing in Grand Haven. He retired after 30 years with (Oldberg) AP Parts in Toledo, Ohio, and later was an Engineer at Bentler in Grand Rapids until his second retirement. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Church and a recent parishioner of St. Luke’s University Parish. To us, Dad was our beloved green thumb and fixer of everything. Besides his wife and family, his pride and joy was his huge, meticulously tended garden, which the rules were “follow his rules or no stepping in the garden”: Walk only in his footprints (including dogs), count what you picked so he could record the counts and weather in his gardening journal. Visitors knew the price for produce was to take the “walk” so he could explain and show off his garden. He lit up when giving tractor rides to the grandkids and visiting relatives. Stan and Laura always canned his bounty yet gifted all season. Stan loved to host corn roasts for family and friends. Dozens of people, spanning numerous generations, flocked to their home along the Grand River for food, celebrations, or just a visit. Stan loved his flowers, gladiolas and dahlias were his favorites – because he loved giving them away. Some lucky friend or relative received a bouquet every week. He loved playing cards, camping with friends and family, golfing, and going on fishing trips with his sons and brother Chet. He was also extremely proud to have earned his pilot’s license after retirement. Stan was a member of the American Legion and VFW. He served on the Honor Guard for the VFW.
Stan is preceded in death by his wife, Laura; his parents, siblings, Josephine (Arthur) VanHall, Anastasia “Nettie” (Kenneth) Bol. Survivors include his children: Ron Stolarz, Jan (Brian) Bonka, Gayle (Frank) Johnson, Don Stolarz, Nina (Greg) Riddle, and Sherri (Don) Owsiak; ten grandchildren; eight great- grandchildren; siblings and in-laws: Chester Stolarz, and Jane (Denny) Kieft, Shirley Lichtenwald, Tootie Samdal, George (Shirley) Butcher, and Colleen (Matt) Mulcahy. Also, Daughters-in-law, Cheri (Tom) Crum, and Cecilia Stolarz. He was very close with his many nieces and nephews, especially “the golden child” Valerie Meinecke.
Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 15th from 5-8 p.m. with the Rosary at 7:30 p.m. at The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16th, at St. Luke’s University Parish in Allendale, MI. Memorials to Hospice of North Ottawa Community or St. Luke’s University Parish. Please sign the family online guestbook at http://www.sytsemafh.com.
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