David J. Czerneski, 63, of Nelson Road, Bessemer Township, passed away peacefully Friday evening, Aug 28, 2015, at home, with his loving wife by his side, following a courageous battle with mesothelioma. Dave was born Oct. 24, 1951, in Ironwood, son of the late Stanley and Ellen (Swanson) Czerneski, attended Ironwood schools, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School with the Class of 1970.Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served two years on the USS Little Rock. Following discharge, he enlisted in the Michigan National Guard, serving with the 107th Engineers of Ironwood and the 1432nd Engineers of Wyoming, Mich. Besides his part-time Guard career of over 30 years, Dave worked eight years downstate for the Kent County Department of Public Works. He then returned to his beloved UP when he attained his position as a Federal Technician and was employed at the Ironwood Armory as a motor sergeant in 1986, retiring in 2006. In his retirement, he served as custodian at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironwood for two years. Dave loved his country, and loved to hunt and fish. He also enjoyed woodworking and tinkering in his huge garage and possessed a wonderful sense of humor. In October of 1979, Dave married Patricia Ann “Patti” Toms of Grand Rapids, Mich. They were wed at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Ironwood and remained married for 35 + years due to the great sense of humor and love between them. Surviving are his wife, Patti; son, Evan, Janesville, Wis.; brother, Michael ( Mary Kay), Ironwood;half-brother, Robert (Virginia) Sertich, Racine, Wis. and Hurley, Wis.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael Toms, Grand Rapids, Charles Toms and Thomas Toms (Janet), both of Newaygo, Susan (Bill) Luoma, Wakefield, Claudia Toms, Belding, and Gary Kusz, Ironwood; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. Dave will be sadly missed by The Shack Gang, the gang at Eagles Nest on Lake Gogebic, all of his friends from Company B and his dear friends Mike, Loretta, Melissa and Leah Bezara. Many thanks to the Dan Hampston family and Sue and Bill Luoma. Besides his parents, Dave was predeceased by his son, Adam David, in 1989; two sisters, Kathleen Kusz and Joan Chagnon; mother and father-in-law, Alice (Byrne) and Robert F. Toms; and brothers-in-law, John and Robert H. Toms and Roger Chagnon. Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, Sept. 3, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer, with the Rev. Antony Lukka, celebrant. Luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Rite of Committal and interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, where full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Regional Hospice Services, 100 S. Mill St., Bessemer, MI 49911. Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.
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