Thomas Gembel
FAYETTE, Mich. – Thomas Gembel, 87, of Fayette, Mich., died March 18, 2016, at the U.P. Health System Hospital in Marquette. He was born June 13, 1928, in Hazelton, Pa., the son of Simon and Ella (Ritz) Gembel and attended school in Hazel Township, Pa. Tom served in the U.S Army for 18 months, following his brothers who all served in World War II. He was stationed in Korea for one year and was honorably discharged as a corporal in 1947.
On Jan. 28, 1950, he married the former Irene K. Maselkevich at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church in West Hazelton, Pa. They lived in the Clio and Birch Run, Mich., areas for several years and moved to Fayette in 1982 following Tom’s retirement. Tom was employed as a job setter by General Motors in Flint, Mich., retiring at the age of 54. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Garden and enjoyed hunting, woodworking, and gardening.
Tom is survived by his wife, Irene K. Gembel of Fayette; sons, Dave (Lori) Gembel of Fayette and Jeff Gembel of Marquette; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Samuel, George, John, and Lawrence Gembel; and his sisters, Mary Matsko and Helen Sarno. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 30, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Garden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at the church with Father Mariusz Sierhart officiating. A luncheon will follow at St. John’s Hall. Burial will be in the Sac Bay Cemetery at Fairbanks Township. The Messier-Broullire Funeral Home of Manistique is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mbfuneral.com