Obituary for Walter J. Curik
Walter J. Curik, age 87,
of Norton Shores, former long-time resident of Hurley, died Monday, Sept. 19,
2011, at Seminole Shores Living Center in Norton Shores. Walter was born July 27, 1924, in Ironwood,
the son of Mary (Macisak) and Gasper Curik. He attended Olivier and Central
Schools and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1942. After
graduation he went into the Army and was stationed at Richmond, Calif. in the
infantry. After he was honorably discharged from the Army, he worked for Aurco
Metal in Milwaukee, then Erspamer's store in Hurley until he purchased the Twin
City Dairy in 1947, which he owned and operated until he retired in
1983. Walter was a member of St. Mary's Catholic
Church in Hurley, the Iron County Resource Development Corporation, the High
Line Corporation, Hurley American Legion Post 58, St. Mary's Knights of Columbus
Council, the Hurley Lions Club, and was a charter member of Eagle Bluff Golf
Club. He belonged to the National Ski Patrol where he became Section Chief and
received National Appointment #3621, the National Ski Patrol's highest award.
Walter was an avid Green Bay packer fan, loved hunting, skiing, golfing,
enjoying his cottage at Pine Lake, and spending time with his family and
friends. He was married to his high school sweetheart,
Mary Lou Erspamer, on Aug. 22, 1945, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, by
the late Rev. Peter F. Meyer, and recently celebrated their 66th anniversary. In
retirement, he and Mary Lou spent winters at Ruskin, Fla. and enjoyed having
their children visit them and enjoyed visiting Disney World and Busch
Gardens. Survivors include his wife Mary Lou; two
daughters, Kathy Lantta of Hurley, and Mary (David) Seeger of North Muskegon;
six grandchildren, Susie (Bruce) Hamberg, Becky (Stacy) Ludtke, and Wendy (Bill)
Chiapuzio, all of Ironwood, Christy (Scott) Belanger Muskegon, Chad Seils,
Norton Shores, and Jamie (Bob) Grant, Muskegon; three step-grandchildren, Steve (Tracy) Seeger,
Michelle (Chris) Chapman, and Liz (Troy) Genson; 11 great-grandchildren; nine
step-great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two
step-great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Walter was preceded in
death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lillian and Herman Erspamer;
son-in-law, John Lantta; great-grandson, Skyler Seils; his brother and
sister-in-law, Steve (Monnie) Curik, sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Harry
Kobryczki, in-laws, Ray (Chris) Erspamer, Jack (Rose) Erspamer, Florence (Don)
Burns and Gertrude (Mike) Matte. Out of respect for Walter's wishes, cremation
has taken place. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated
Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, with
the Rev. Frank Kordek OFM, celebrant. Rite of Committal and interment will follow in
St. Mary's Cemetery, Hurley, where full military honors will be accorded by the
combined Hurley American Legion Post 58 and Iron Co. V.F.W. Post 1580 Honor
Guard. A luncheon will be served in the parish hall
immediately upon return from the cemetery. Walter's family will receive relatives and
friends from 10 a.m. until Mass time at the church on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, the family would like
memorials to be made to Muskegon Harbor Hospice, 1050 W. Western Avenue, Suite
400, Muskegon, Mich. 49441. To view Walter's obituary online, sign his
guestbook or offer condolences, visit
mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.
of Norton Shores, former long-time resident of Hurley, died Monday, Sept. 19,
2011, at Seminole Shores Living Center in Norton Shores. Walter was born July 27, 1924, in Ironwood,
the son of Mary (Macisak) and Gasper Curik. He attended Olivier and Central
Schools and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1942. After
graduation he went into the Army and was stationed at Richmond, Calif. in the
infantry. After he was honorably discharged from the Army, he worked for Aurco
Metal in Milwaukee, then Erspamer's store in Hurley until he purchased the Twin
City Dairy in 1947, which he owned and operated until he retired in
1983. Walter was a member of St. Mary's Catholic
Church in Hurley, the Iron County Resource Development Corporation, the High
Line Corporation, Hurley American Legion Post 58, St. Mary's Knights of Columbus
Council, the Hurley Lions Club, and was a charter member of Eagle Bluff Golf
Club. He belonged to the National Ski Patrol where he became Section Chief and
received National Appointment #3621, the National Ski Patrol's highest award.
Walter was an avid Green Bay packer fan, loved hunting, skiing, golfing,
enjoying his cottage at Pine Lake, and spending time with his family and
friends. He was married to his high school sweetheart,
Mary Lou Erspamer, on Aug. 22, 1945, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, by
the late Rev. Peter F. Meyer, and recently celebrated their 66th anniversary. In
retirement, he and Mary Lou spent winters at Ruskin, Fla. and enjoyed having
their children visit them and enjoyed visiting Disney World and Busch
Gardens. Survivors include his wife Mary Lou; two
daughters, Kathy Lantta of Hurley, and Mary (David) Seeger of North Muskegon;
six grandchildren, Susie (Bruce) Hamberg, Becky (Stacy) Ludtke, and Wendy (Bill)
Chiapuzio, all of Ironwood, Christy (Scott) Belanger Muskegon, Chad Seils,
Norton Shores, and Jamie (Bob) Grant, Muskegon; three step-grandchildren, Steve (Tracy) Seeger,
Michelle (Chris) Chapman, and Liz (Troy) Genson; 11 great-grandchildren; nine
step-great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two
step-great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Walter was preceded in
death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lillian and Herman Erspamer;
son-in-law, John Lantta; great-grandson, Skyler Seils; his brother and
sister-in-law, Steve (Monnie) Curik, sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Harry
Kobryczki, in-laws, Ray (Chris) Erspamer, Jack (Rose) Erspamer, Florence (Don)
Burns and Gertrude (Mike) Matte. Out of respect for Walter's wishes, cremation
has taken place. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated
Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, with
the Rev. Frank Kordek OFM, celebrant. Rite of Committal and interment will follow in
St. Mary's Cemetery, Hurley, where full military honors will be accorded by the
combined Hurley American Legion Post 58 and Iron Co. V.F.W. Post 1580 Honor
Guard. A luncheon will be served in the parish hall
immediately upon return from the cemetery. Walter's family will receive relatives and
friends from 10 a.m. until Mass time at the church on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, the family would like
memorials to be made to Muskegon Harbor Hospice, 1050 W. Western Avenue, Suite
400, Muskegon, Mich. 49441. To view Walter's obituary online, sign his
guestbook or offer condolences, visit
mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.