Leo H. Holdwick

Mr. Leo H. Holdwick, 86 of Ruth, passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at the Harbor Beach Community Hospital with his loving family by his side. Leo was born on July 15, 1930 in Sherman Township to the late Henry and Anna (Buescher) Holdwick. On June 16, 1956, Leo was united in marriage to Shirley Emming at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. She preceded him in death on December 23, 2014. Leo was a lifelong parishioner at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Holy Apostles Parish in Ruth. He took great pride in working the family farm and farmed with his brother Joe until he retired in 1995. For 30 years Leo worked every Monday, at the Marlette Stockyards, never missing one. Leo loved a good euchre game, visiting and playing cards at the “House of Knowledge” in Ruth. He loved watching his favorite baseball team, the Detroit Tigers. Baseball was such a passion of Leo’s that he was an umpire for the Huron County Softball League and then became Ma Miller’s coach for Miller’s Hotel. Leo enjoyed hosting many Sunday afternoon cookouts in his backyard for the Miller team. Leo cherished time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Leo is survived by four children, Evelyn Smaglinski and her husband, Paul of Bad Axe, Melvin Holdwick and his wife, Sue of Ruth, Carl Holdwick and his wife, Lori of Ruth, Mary Jane Woychowski and her husband, John of Harbor Beach; ten grandchildren, Denise (Jason) Jameson, Paul (Trischa) Smaglinski Jr., Emily (Dave) Dupuis, Sarah (Chris) Tyrrell, Mitchell (Ashley) Holdwick, Joshua Holdwick, Carley (Brent) Walker, Caitlyn (Tyler) Booms, Chelsea Holdwick, Cassie Holdwick; nine great grandchildren, Henry, Haley and Abby Smaglinski, Avarie, Brady and Allie Dupuis, Hailey and Myles Tyrrell, Whitney Walker; one sister, Magdelene Stacer of Ruth; two brothers, Roman “Red” (Clarann) Holdwick and Joseph (Lorraine) Holdwick, both of Ruth; in-laws, Leo (Donna) Emming of Ruth, Leonard (Linda) Emming of Harbor Beach, Marvin (Regina) Emming of Ruth, Mary Lou (Damon) Wolczak of Ohio, Marlene (Gary) Geiger of Harbor Beach, Judy Emming of Tennessee, Susan (Terry) Arn of Romulus; Rose Ann Emming of Ruth, Pat Emming and Arlene Emming both of Bad Axe; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Loretta (Harold) Stacer, Lenore (Stanley) Kups; three brothers, Robert (Irene) Holdwick, John and Clemens Holdwick; in-laws, Melvin, Joe, Raymond and Robert Emming; Delores (Lawrence) Kranz, Merlin Stacer. Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 am Saturday, July 1, 2017 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church of Holy Apostle Parish in Ruth. Rev. Christopher Coman, pastor of Holy Apostles Parish and Fr. Donald Eppenbrock will concelebrate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly on Friday from 1:00-9:00 pm and Saturday morning from 9:00-10:00 am. There will be a parish vigil service Friday evening at 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Memorials have been requested to the Family Discretionary Fund.