Joseph A. Shimek

Joseph A. Shimek died peacefully November 29th, at the Cherry Hill Haven in Traverse City after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and more recently pneumonia. Joseph was born August 6, 1928, on the family farm in Maple City. He was the son of Joseph and Agnes (Vajner) Shimek. On June 20, 1953, he married Donaleen Thompson. They enjoyed forty-six years together until she passed away in 1999. Joseph graduated from Leland High School in 1947. Upon graduation, he worked at various jobs and for Harris McBurney Co. out of Jackson, Mi with his brother-in-law Albion Nemeskal. In June 1951, he joined the army, was a veteran of the Korean War and was discharged in 1953. In 1954, Joseph enrolled at the Ferris Institute and graduated with a teaching and business degree. He began his educational career teaching and coaching at Buckley Community School from 1957 to 1959. Then from 1960 to 1964, he taught, coached and became superintendent at Copemish Community School. In 1964, Copemish became part of the consolidation of Benzie County Central Schools and he became principal and taught at Platte River Elementary School in Honor for many years and then taught high school business subjects until his retirement in 1986. Throughout Joe’s life, he was very involved with his cherry orchards (Shimek’s Maple Ridge Orchards). He was a past member of The Glen Lake Reformed Church, VFW, and Eagles. Besides working in his orchards, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching sports, family get-togethers and polka music. He is survived by his daughter, Agnes (Tad) Carter of Maple City; two sons Keith (Kellie) Shimek and Michael (Mary) Shimek of Maple City; grandchildren, Julia, Britton, Kayla, Kory, Kendra, Sam, and Margaret “Meg”; great-grandchildren, Tila, Laila, Owen, Joey, and Madison. He is also survived by a sister; Bernice Gallup of Traverse City, many nieces and nephews; and friend Joanne Hawley. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Donaleen; brother Frank (Marge) Shimek; and sisters Josephine (Merlin) Sleder, Vera (Albion) Nemeskal, Mamie (Daniel) Bean, Millicent (Maurice) Gallup, and infant brother Myles Shimek. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 1st, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at the Reynolds-Johnkoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Interment of his ashes will be in the Cleveland Township Cemetery at a later date. The family would like to thank all of the caregivers at Cherry Hill Haven for their love, support and care of our father over the last nearly four years that he has been a resident there. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your favorite charity at this special time of the year.

Joseph A. Shimek

August 6, 1928 - November 29, 2018