MAPLE CITY — Claude Joseph Czerniak, 89, lifelong resident of the Maple City area, passed away at Maple Valley Nursing Home in Maple City on Monday, Dec. 5, 2011.Claude was born July 30, 1922, to the late Florian and Regina (Galla) Czerniak, in Centerville Township. He served his country as a member of the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.Claude began a long-lasting relationship, after purchasing a candy bar at Kroger, just to meet the girl behind the counter. On Sept. 3, 1949, Claude entered into marriage with the former Laura Sharnowski at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Isadore. The wedding could only take place after some chores were done, making the bride-to-be one of very few able to say she milked the cows in the morning and was married by afternoon.Claude made his living on the family farm, as well as working the farms and acreage in the area, including that of his in-laws. He put in long hours working the land from sun up to sun down. Claude produced corn and hay before moving mostly into raising cattle for beef. He eventually began driving bus for Glen Lake Schools, a position he enjoyed and held onto for many years, until retirement.Claude and Laura traveled together, visiting many places with friends, from Hawaii to the Dakotas and Wisconsin Dells. He took advantage of many northern Michigan winters, snowmobiling with friends and family before deciding to split time between here and Florida.Claude was a member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church and will be missed by many.Claude is survived by his loving wife of more than 62 years, Laura Czerniak, of Maple City; his son, Claude Jr. "Sonny" (Bernie) Czerniak, of Maple City; his two daughters, Carolyn (Robert) Noonan, also of Maple City, and Claudette (Frank) Winowiecki, of Cedar; 17 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, Lawrence Petroskey; three brothers, Joseph, Thomas and Florian Czerniak; his sisters, Martha Schaub, Clara Whitman, Marie Skeba and Louise Nemeskal; and many other loving family members and friends.Claude was preceded in death by his daughter, Cheryl Petroskey, and his parents.Visitation for friends and family will be held this evening, Dec. 6, from 5 until 8 p.m., with a vigil service to take place at 7 p.m., at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church.A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the church, with The Rev. Kenneth Stachnik officiating. Graveside committal services will be held in St. Rita Catholic Cemetery, Maple City.Memorial contributions may be directed to Biederman Cancer Center, care of Munson Regional Healthcare Foundation.Please share thoughts with the family at Claude's online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.