Stanley J. Cieciorka

Stanley J. Cieciorka, age 97, of Iron River, MI, passed away, Tuesday, March 17, 2015 in Ossineke, MI. He was born September 11, 1917 in Iron River, MI, the son of the late Anton and Ursula (Grygelko) Cieciorka. He attended the Lincoln and Central Schools and graduated from Iron River High School with the Class of 1936. He played football and basketball during his four years of high school and captained the only undefeated team Iron River had in basketball. Stanley married the former Helen Dzanbazoff on June 7, 1941 at the Assumption Church of Iron River and the couple celebrated their 56th Wedding Anniversary in 1997. Helen preceded him in death on September 21, 1997. Stanley was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII, serving in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan, and played basketball whenever he had the opportunity. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to the Iron River area, where he owned and operated the Cieciorka Grocery Store until his retirement in 1974. He sponsored the Cieciorka Grocers’ Basketball Team for many years and the team received many gold medal trophies. He was also an avid fisherman and hunter. He was a member of the St. Agnes Catholic Church of Iron River, and the American Legion Alfred Branchini Post #17. Stanley is survived by his son, Thomas (Paulette) Cieciorka of Ossineke, MI; grandchildren, Thomas (Amy) Cieciorka, Sarah (Neil) Pasia, and Angela (Ken) Jefferson; great grandchildren, Taylor, Tyah, Tiana, Terrell, Aiden, Dylan, and Quenton; nieces, nephews and extended family. He was also preceded in death by his brother, John Cieciorka, and sisters, Edna Rousseau, Josephine Franzoi, JoAnn Cieciorka, Agnes Euscebio, Cecelia Fregretto, Bernice Broslavick, and Dorothy Delago. Visitation will be held Monday, March 23, 2015 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church of Iron River, with Rev. Gregory Veneklase to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the service. Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery in the spring. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Legion Alfred Branchini Post #17 or St. Agnes Catholic Church. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Stanley J. Cieciorka, please visit our flower store.