Arthur C. Urban

Arthur Clement Urban, 66, of Traverse City, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Thompson, Michigan.

Art was born on May 4, 1951, in Rogers City to Clement J. and Mary Jane (Smolinski) Urban. He attended school in Rogers City, graduating in 1969. He then continued his education at Central Michigan University, earning his bachelor's degree in biology. He completed a medical technology internship at St. Luke's Hospital in Saginaw.

He moved to Traverse City in 1975 to begin his 38 year career at Munson Medical Center Laboratory. It was there he met his wife, the former Mary Ann Schaub, and they married on October 15, 1977 at St. Mary's Church in Lake Leelanau.

Art was a true outdoorsman and athlete. He loved being outside, tending his vegetable garden, 4-wheeling, cutting and chopping wood, and riding his bike, which he rode to work whenever possible. He excelled at many sports including basketball, softball, football, and tennis, and was extremely competitive at all of them. He prided himself in beating his son Jim in sets of tennis. He coached his children's sports teams over the years. Art appreciated the forest, planting about a thousand trees over the years, and enjoyed watching them mature. He took pride in his garden (and wouldn't let anyone else pick the first ripe tomato). Art will be remembered as a mechanically gifted man, sharing that gift with his son Jim and his grandson Jasen. He had a very compassionate, gentle spirit.

Art is survived by his beloved wife Mary Ann; children, Jim (Erin) Urban of Lakeville, MN; Julie (Johnny) Patubo of San Angelo, TX; and his cherished grandchildren, Jasen and Karina Patubo. Art is also survived by his mother, Mary Jane Urban of Rogers City; his siblings, Robert (Susanne) Urban of Manistique, Eileen (Dave) Asam of Traverse City, Marian (Al) Sabourin of Clare, Carolyn (Dave Welch) Urban of Fenton, Steve (Amy) Urban of Whitehall; his mother in law Jean Schaub and his brothers and sisters in law, Mark Schaub, Dennis (Kim) Schaub, John (Mary Lou) Schaub, Laura (Gordon) Gottfried, Ray Messick and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Clem Urban, his father in law Francis X. Schaub; his goddaughter and niece Kerri (Urban) MacPhail, a sister in law Susan Messick, and her son Evan.

Visitation for Art will take place at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home this evening, Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 6 until 8 p.m. with the rosary being prayed at 7 p.m. Deacon Rene Hoenscheid will preside.

The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 1:00 PM Thursday Sept. 28 at St. Francis Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior to the mass. Father Ken Stachnik will preside. Burial will be in Oakwood Catholic Diocesan Cemetery.

Contributions to honor Art's memory may be directed to the St. Francis Catholic Church Development Fund or to mass intentions.