John "Yosh" Anthony Wapienik

John "Yosh" Anthony Wapienik, 95, of Marquette went home to be with the Lord and the love of his life, Charlotte Wapienik, on January 19, 2021.  He passed away at home in the loving care of his three daughters.  He was born August 28, 1925, in Munising, MI to John and Karolina (Frostinga) Wapienik.  Yosh attended Sacred Heart School and was a graduate of Wm. G. Mather High School.  As a young boy, John set pins in the bowling alley to buy his mother a washing machine.  He had joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC's).

John served in the Army in World War II in the European Theater in 1944 at Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland. He served as a Military Policeman and Combat Infantryman. He was wounded twice and received EAME theater ribbons with three bronze stars, two Purple Hearts with one bronze cluster, the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, and Victory Medal World War II.  John was honorably discharged in 1946.

Yosh came home and married his long-time friend Charlotte Burrows. He worked for his father-in-law hauling freight and express.  He was a fireman for the Munising Fire Department and a Conductor/Engineer for thirty years for the Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad..

He was a member of the Catholic Church, Military Order of Purple Hearts, The American Legion, Disabled Veterans, L.S.& I. R.R. Retiree Assoc, Retirees of the Munising Fire Department, and Marquette Golf & Country Club. Upon his death, his daughters were presented with the Presidential Memorial Award for his service signed by President. John was known as the kind gentle man who would give anyone the shirt off his back. Since the early '60s, he and Charlotte got in the car and traveled coast to coast with their children every year. It was a family tradition to vacation in Wisconsin Dells with their three daughters’ families including their children and grandchildren for over 50 years. He was famous for his jack-knife dives off the diving boards. Yosh loved the sun but mostly loved his family.

John's wife Charlotte of nearly 74 years passed away at home on Oct, 14, 2020.  He is survived by his three daughters, Jonnie (Tom) True of Negaunee, JoDee (Bill) Larsh, and Tassi Hodgins (Former son-in-law and friend Steve Hodgins) of Marquette.  Grandchildren John (Wendy) True (his namesake), Rhonda (Rick) Williams, Justin (Samantha Anderson), Ryan (Monica) Raica, Nathan Larsh, Charlotte Hodgins, and Josh Anthony-Wapienik Hodgins  (Ashley Miller). Step-grandchildren Jeff (Erin) Larsh.  Great-grandchildren Mary Marie True, Shayla Williams, Sydney, Kolton, Kenadie and Hailo Hodgins, Valentina Raica. Step-great-grandchildren Kelsey, Kylie and Morgan Miller, Lilie MIller, Phelan, and Silas Larsh. His first step-great-great-grandson Thornton McKenna is due in April, sister-in-law Alice, nieces Jan, Linda, Bobbijo, Karen, Patti, Kay, Marion, Myrth, and nephew Jamie.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, wife Charlotte, in-laws Harry "Chub" and Edna "Marion" Burrows, brothers Edward "Edge" and Walter "Vodge". Sister-in-laws Elsie, Norma, Lois, Brother-in-law Chester, and niece Cindy.

There will be a private family service on Friday, Jan 29, 2021, officiated by his daughter Tassi. A public mass will be held for John & Charlotte at 4:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Munising. His burial will be in the spring with Military Honors at the Maple Grove Cemetery on Friday, May 7, 2021 at 12:00 noon. He will be proudly escorted by his grandchildren to his final resting place.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request what Yosh would want for everyone. DANCE with your loved ones and hold them close. "No matter how much or hard you work in life, make God and your family come first".