Tony Irwin Mauhar

Tony Irwin Mauhar, 90 years young, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 17th at his daughter’s home in Elk Rapids, Michigan.
A long-time resident of Gladstone, Tony was born May 20th, 1930 in Ensign, Michigan, the son of Antone and Emilia Mauhar, Croatian immigrants and he grew up on a fifty-acre dairy farm. He graduated in 1948 from Rapid River High School and enlisted in the US Army. He served in the Korean War as a Signalman from 1948-1950 and was honorably discharged. After returning from Korea, Tony attended Michigan State College (now MSU) for one semester before being called back home to help on the family farm, but not before beginning a lifelong love of all things Sparty.

Tony was united in marriage on August 1, 1958 to Ann Geneva Hebert of Nahma, Michigan and the couple recently celebrated their 62nd anniversary.

Tony’s official work career began working for the Rapid River Dairy Company picking up milk from central U.P. dairy farmers and working in the creamery. This was followed in succession by a myriad of jobs including concrete construction work in Milwaukee, Iron Worker in Marquette County, truck driver for Bark River Culvert and Stang Oil Company. He spent the longest part of his working career as a Millwright at Mead Paper Company where he was known for the quality of his work and the reliability of his repairs.

Tony was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone and was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus, achieving 4th Degree Knight. Tony loved serving others and was especially proud of his annual Fourth of July bratwurst cookout that he initiated on the USA’s bicentennial in 1976 and held every year since then.

Tony was an avid woodworker, master crossword puzzle solver (always in ink, never in pencil), deer hunter, greenskeeper, and he loved spending time in his workshop and garden. He was a long-suffering Detroit Lions fan (and transmitted this affliction to all four of his children), but he took some satisfaction that the Lions drafted Barry Sanders and not Tony Mandarich. He also loved to cheer on his Tigers, Pistons, Spartans, and Red Wings.

In addition to his loving wife, Ann, he is survived by: three sons, Mark (Deborah) Mauhar of Mills River, NC, Peter Mauhar of Milwaukee, WI, and Brian (Robin) Mauhar of Layton, UT; one daughter, Lori (Marvin Nault) Lemmien of Elk Rapids, MI; eight grandchildren, Michael (Emily Hellesto) Mauhar, Marie Mauhar, Matthew (Krissy Keels) Mauhar, Megan (Adam) Furman, Brandon (Nikki) Mauhar, Brianne (Kevin) Riggleman, Ryan Lemmien and Kaylee Lemmien; six great grandchildren, Daxton, Ashton and Maverick (coming soon!), Damian, Brynli and Hunter and one sister, Anne (Howard) Kahl, along with many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by: one brother, Victor Mauhar; and three sisters, Emily (Bernard) Burch, Angela Mauhar, and Frances Mauhar.

Private visitation will be held. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, October 22, at 1:00 p.m. at All Saints Church in Gladstone with Father Jamie Ziminski officiating. Burial will follow at Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells with Military Honors presented by the Gladstone American Legion Post 71.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Knights of Columbus or an organization of your choice.

Masks are required upon entering All Saints Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Knights of Columbus or an organization of your choice. The Skradski Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Mauhar family.