Cornell, MIJustin J. Bjork, 37, of Cornell, passed away Wednesday morning, December 14, 2016 at the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI following complications of a stem cell transplant after a 28 year battle with leukemia.
Justin was born March 27, 1979 in Escanaba, MI the son of Randy and Linda (Smithson) Bjork. He was raised in Gladstone with his 2 brothers and he participated in Little League Baseball and played football. Following his graduation in 1997 from Gladstone High School, Justin continued his education at Bay De Noc College. He went on to receive his B.S. degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Central Michigan University in 2001.
Following graduation from college, Justin received his state Certified General Real Estate Appraiser License and started his business Turn Key Appraisals.
Justin was a member of the Gladstone Golf Club and past member of the Escanaba Rotary Club. His hobbies included spending time outdoors, collecting antique automotive memorabilia, going to camp to ride his RZR, and driving his “race” car, as his daughter referred to it. He loved his daughter Adeline more than anything or anyone else. All who knew him will sadly miss him.
In addition to his daughter Adeline, age 6 of Gladstone, survivors include:
Parents: Randy and Linda Bjork of Gladstone
Brothers: Andrew (Mistie) Bjork of Denver, CO and Nathan (Becky) Bjork of Waynesville, OH
Nieces and nephews: Ethan, Ella, Drew, Gabe, Corinne and Katelyn
Grandmother: Margaret Smithson of Alpha, MI
Mother of his daughter: Kelly Jensen Bjork of Gladstone
Aunt’s and uncle’s: Arlene and Ralph Gaedekee of Milwaukee, WI, Stanley and Germain Bjork of Gwinn, MI, John and Judi Bjork of Stager Lake, MI, Debra Bjork of Alpha, MI, David and Michelle Bjork of Philadelphia, PA and Richard and Janet Smithson of Crystal Falls, MI
Justin was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Leona Bjork, Russell Smithson and his aunt and uncle, June and Art Marinello.
Justin’s family will receive friends on Thursday December 22, 2016 from 2:30 to 5:30 pm at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 6:00 pm at the All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone with Rev. Fr. Jamie Ziminski officiating. Luncheon will follow in the All Saints Church Parish Hall. Burial will be in the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Justin may be directed to the Gladstone High School Scholarship Department for graduates attending college that have struggled with cancer during their childhood.