Gladstone, MI
Victor August Karnitz, age 87, of Gladstone passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at the St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba.
Victor was born May 18, 1927 in Gladstone, the son of Rufus A. and Josephine C. (Standing) Karnitz. He was raised in Gladstone and graduated from the Gladstone High School. He served his country proudly in the United States Army and was a veteran of World War II. He was united in marriage to Betty Blake on December 28, 1948 at the All Saints rectory in Gladstone. Victor was employed with the Harnischfeger Corporation for over 30 years, retiring in 1984. He was a member of All Saints Catholic Church and the Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post 71, serving as Chaplain for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Betty of Gladstone, six daughters, Mary Jo (Tom) VanHorn of Stonington, Karen (Gary) LeClaire of Stonington, Nancy (Jim) DeGrand of Gladstone, Patti (Mark) Hager of Gladstone, Sandey (Mark) Hereau of Escanaba and Sara (Bill) Hawker of Green Bay, WI; son, Paul (Cindy) Karnitz of Bryant, WI; son-in-law, Mark (Cindy) Phillips of Stonington; 17 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Ron Nelson of Rapid River and Leroy (Karen) Blake of New Hampshire; sisters-in-law, Marlene Everett of Gaylord, MI and Ruth Blake of Escanaba and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Sue Phillips, his parents, a sister Lois Nelson and a brother-in-law James Blake.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 24 from 11:00 AM to 1:15 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military Rites will be presented at 1:15 PM by the Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post 71. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:00 PM at All Saints Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Jamie Ziminski officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. Victor will be laid to rest in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the restoration of the stained glass windows at All Saints Catholic Church.
Kathy Martin
Our deepest sympathy to all of you. It is very hard to lose a parent. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Gary and Kathy Martin
Phil and Virginia Petersen - Gladstone, MI
Our prayers and thoughts to all of the Karnitz family. I am sure all your great memories will help you through the times ahead. Our sympathies to a all.
Jim & Karen (Hager) Ombrello - The Villages, FL
We send our love & Christian sympathy to all of the family. We send our prayerful support in this time of loss & remember the good times. God’s peace.
Gary and Kathy Maynard - GLADSTONE, MI
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers
Innovative Industries Inc. - Antigo, WI
Victor’s son Paul works for our company, Innovative Industries Inc., in Antigo, WI. All of us at Innovative would like to extend their deepest sympathies to Paul and his family. We were sincerely sorry to hear about Victor’s passing, and want you to know you will be in our thoughts and prayers. May God Bless you all.
Julie (Berg ) Zielinski
Dear Friends,We are sadden to hear about your loss. Our families go back so many years from Sunday picnics at Pioneer Trail Park, to renting Netties cottage, and finally building our own cottages next to our best freinds. I remember Victor’s candy jar and what a treat it was when we got to pick something out of it. I remember Vic and my mom taking all of us kids to Mass Sundays at Rapid River and getting ice cream after it. I remember Vic coming to our house on his lunch hours. I was always in awe of the special friendship our parents had spanning so many years. My mom always brags about the Karnitz girls as though they were her own, she loves all of you dearly. And I feel the same about Betty. She is the kind of lady that just makes people feel better to be around her. I love you, Betty. Victor was a gentle soul with a sentimental heart who loves his family and friends dearly. It comforts me to know he was such a faith filled person. God is turly wrapping his arms around him. May God bless you all and give you his strength in this difficult time. I wish I could be there. My prayers are with all of you. Julie (Berg) Zielinski
Chuck and Lynn Larsen - Stonington... now Orlando, FL
Our sympathy to the entire Karnitz family. It is so very difficult to lose a parent, but I know you all have wonderful memories that will hold him close to you.
Tony Nelson - Traverse City, MI
It saddens me to hear about the passing of Uncle Vic. I have many fond memories, summers at the cottage, horseshoes, and Christmas. The boys & I are sorry that we can’t be there for the service, but send our thoughts and prayers to all of you. we loved him very much and we will miss him.
Julie (Peterson) DeLaire - Gladstone, MI
I alway loved running into “Vic” he was a kind and wonderful man. May memories help heal your pain and may his memory be kept alive through all of you.
Rita Mills
Sara and Family,Many prayers to you and your family.
Thinking of you.
Charlie and Patty Creten - Lake Havasu, AZ
Our deepest sympathy to the Karnitz family on the passing of your father. Thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Daryl & Fran Prey - Escanaba, MI
We are truly sorry for your loss, and keeping all of your family in our thoughts and prayers.