Joan Kathleen Zaliagiris

Joan Kathleen Zaliagiris Battle Creek Joan Kathleen Zaliagiris, 84 of Battle Creek, died Sunday, January, 23, 2011 at Bickford Cottage. She was born January 20, 1927 in Detroit, the daughter of Joseph Henry and Genevieve (Seley) Spurgeon. Joan was a graduate of the University of Detroit and went on to receive her master's degree in library science from the University of Michigan. For eighteen years she was a librarian in the Birmingham Public Schools retiring in 1982. Joan was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Battle Creek. On December 26, 1950 she was married to Edward John Zaliagiris who preceded her in death on December 13, 1996. Joan was also preceded in death by a son, Thomas Edward Zaliagiris on January 29, 2007; three sisters: Mary Ellen Clark, Genevieve O'Hara and Dr. Patricia Spurgeon; one brother, Donald Spurgeon; and her late life companion, John Szucs. Surviving are four children: Mary Pat (Phillip) Harter, Janet Marie (Steve) Horvath, John Joseph (Stacey) Zaliagiris and Margaret Ann O'Riley; and fifteen grandchildren. Visitation will be 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. this evening at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home, 703 Capital Avenue, S.W. with the Rosary service to be held at 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Zaliagiris will then be taken to the Charles R. Step Funeral Home, 18425 Beech Daly (Between 6 and 7 Mile), Redford, MI 48240 where visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and the Rosary service held at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Thursday at St. Aidan Catholic Church, 17500 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48152 with The Very Rev. Father Robert F. Creagan, V.F. officiating. Visitation will also be held from 10:30 a.m. Thursday until service time at the church. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mt. Elliott Street, Detroit, MI 48207 or St. Vincent DePaul Society.