Walter Martin Kopinski

Walter Martin Kopinski, age 100, of Hessel, Michigan, died Sunday, November 5, 2017, in Petoskey, Michigan. He was born September 9, 1917, in Carlisle, West Virginia, to Albert and Sophia (Polka) Kopinski. Walter’s family moved to the Detroit, Michigan area when he was about five years old, and he graduated from high school in Detroit. He attended the Henry Ford Trade School to learn the tool and die trade. Walter married Nellie Veronica Burkacki on October 5, 1940, in Detroit. He served in the United States Army during World War II. He was stationed in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, prepared to invade Japan, when the war ended and he returned home. He and Nellie made their home in St. Clair Shores and Walter worked for Ford Motor Company for 44 years. They retired to Hessel in 1976 to live on property he purchased in 1968 for a place to spend vacations. Walter was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Hessel and the American Legion Post #62 in St. Ignace. Walter loved working with wood and made many pieces of furniture and grandfather clocks. He also enjoyed archery and was an avid Detroit Red Wings fan. Water is survived by one daughter, Judith Carol (Joseph) Parisi of Gladwin, Michigan and Port St. Lucie, Florida; son, Martin Walter (Carol) Kopinski of Hessel, Michigan and Hernando, Florida; grandchildren, Deborah (Andrew) Ives, Marianne (Jim) Vinette, Matthew (Kristie) Kopinski, Katherine (Johnny) Poston, Michael (Katie) Kopinski, Karin (Bobby) Gilbert, and Mark Kopinski; and great grandchildren, Jase, Nash, Tristan, and Logan Kopinski, Ethan, Kaitlyn, and Emma Kay Gilbert, Taylor Joseph (Kasi) Ives, and Maddie Peach Poston. Walter was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Nellie Kopinski; grandson, Charles J. Parisi; sisters, Helen Pulanecki, Nellie Cody, Mary Juk, and Wanda Frayer; and brothers, Joseph, Frank, Louie, and Rudolph Kopinski. Visitation will be held Thursday, November 9, at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford, Michigan. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 5:30 P.M. followed by a Prayer Service at 5:30 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 10 at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Hessel with Father Peter Fosu celebrant. Burial will be in Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township, Michigan.

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Walter Martin Kopinski

September 9, 1917 - November 5, 2017