John Urban Obituary

John P. Urban, 96, of Weidman, passed away peacefully Friday, October 6, 2023, at home with his family by his side. John Paul Urban was born October 29, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan. He was the son of John J. and Eleanor K. (Kempinski) Urban, and the older brother of Frank Urban. John's father worked in the glass department for a manufacturing company while his mother worked as a seamstress. As a young boy, John played baseball, fished, and spent his summers at the "BAB" (Bare Ass Beach). When he became a teenager, he continued to fish, took up small game hunting, and learned the value of hard work when he began working for a butcher. There he learned the "ins" and "outs" of cutting and preparing meat, which often came in handy throughout his life. After attending night school to earn his diploma early from North Eastern High School in Detroit, John was inducted into the U. S. Army in February of 1945 and served during World War II. John recalls three days on a boat to get to the Philippines, eventually making his way to Guam. After his honorable discharge in December of 1946, John attended the University of Detroit where he learned the basics of accounting. He worked as a controller for Continental Die Casting in Detroit and, at one time, asked one of his co-workers, Virginia, to go out on a date. As she already had a boyfriend, she mentioned to John that she had a sister named Bernice Gabriel. After a courtship, John and Bernice fell in love. They were married in a ceremony on May 26, 1951, at Assumption Grotto Church in Detroit. That union was blessed with six children, John, Elly, Mary, Elaine, Jennifer, and Annette. To support his family, John continued working at Continental Die Casting for a total of 30 years. He eventually went into business for himself, using his education to become an accountant. John and Bernice found joy and happiness in traveling. They visited Alaska two times and were able to enjoy a cruise to Jamaica. In his spare time, John enjoyed organic gardening in his own greenhouse and garden, beekeeping, and reading. He continued to hunt and fish throughout his life and was an avid supporter of Detroit's pro sports teams. John was a lifetime member of the Borley Hanel #3033 VFW post in Mt. Pleasant and the Knights of Columbus in Beal City. He was a devout Catholic and faithful member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Beal City. Of all the accolades in John's life, nothing was more important to him than his family, especially the time spent with his beloved grandchildren. One of the many lessons he preached to them was that of "safety first". They and many others will miss John dearly. Left to cherish John's memory are his six children and their spouses, John and Larysa Urban of Chesterfield Township, Elly and Tom Reichel of Las Vegas, NV, Mary and Al Helminski of Soldotna, AK, Elaine and Kim Fox of Weidman, Jennifer and David DeMatio of West Branch and Annette and Joe Mozurkewich of Rosebush; 14 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; younger brother, Frank Urban of Warren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Eleanor Urban; and wife Bernice Urban in 2005. A Funeral Mass for John will be celebrated at 10 a. m. Wednesday, October 11, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Beal City with Father Thomas Held as celebrant. Immediately following, all are invited to the Beal City Knights of Columbus Hall for a meal. John's family will receive friends in the gathering room of the church on Tuesday from 4-7 p. m. and Wednesday one hour prior to Mass. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p. m. Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph the Worker School. Envelopes will be available at the church or Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www. CharlesRLux. com.