Miro "Zeke" A. Virsik
September 13th, 1936 - February 24th, 2025
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Miro "Zeke"'s Obituary
Miro “Zeke” Arpad Virsik, age 88, passed away at home on Monday, February 24, 2025. He was born on September 13, 1936, to Arpad and Martha (Frola) Virsik in Baroda, Michigan.
A visitation with Zeke’s family will take place on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at the Starks and Menchinger Chapel (2650 Niles Rd.) Funeral services will take place on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 11:00 am at Christ Lutheran Church (4333 Cleveland Ave.) Burial will take place following services at Ruggles Cemetery in Zeke’s hometown of Baroda. For a more lasting memory, donations in Zeke’s name can be made out to Christ Lutheran Church. Feel free to share a memory with his family at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Raised on the family farm in Baroda, Zeke was taught from an early age the value of hard work and learned the tool and die trade in his father’s workshop repairing machinery. Enlisting in the Army, Zeke served initially with the military police, then using his skills as a machinist became an expert in small arms repair and finished his service with the special forces where his additional skills of being fluent in Slovak and German were utilized. After his service, Zeke returned to the tool and die industry working for 25 years for Bosch, formerly Weldun International in Bridgman. Raising his family in St. Joseph, Zeke enjoyed spending time outdoors fishing, building projects like a large tree house known throughout the neighborhood, and attending as many of his children’s and grand children’s events as he could. In retirement Zeke enjoyed traveling, woodworking in his shop, and dancing the Polka at local Octoberfest events. Known for his gruff exterior but soft heart, Zeke was kind and helpful to all and will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved him.
Zeke is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sharon (Howley)Virsik children, Verena (James) Turney, Jacqueline Ricci, Tonya (Kevin) Nanzer, Vince Virsik, Amy (Phillip) Cole; grandchildren, Stetson (Haley) Turney, Payton (Julian) Hughes, Morgan Virsik, Justin Nanzer, Parker Nanzer, Rylee Nanzer, Abigail Cole, Andrew Cole, Adam Cole; great-grandchildren, Taylor Turney, Reese Turney, Brooks Turney; sister, Darina Swift; sister-in-law, Cathy Virsik; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Lexine Turney; brother, Milan Virsik; brother-in-law Richard Swift, and nephew, Richard “Ricky” Swift.
A visitation with Zeke’s family will take place on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at the Starks and Menchinger Chapel (2650 Niles Rd.) Funeral services will take place on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 11:00 am at Christ Lutheran Church (4333 Cleveland Ave.) Burial will take place following services at Ruggles Cemetery in Zeke’s hometown of Baroda. For a more lasting memory, donations in Zeke’s name can be made out to Christ Lutheran Church. Feel free to share a memory with his family at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Raised on the family farm in Baroda, Zeke was taught from an early age the value of hard work and learned the tool and die trade in his father’s workshop repairing machinery. Enlisting in the Army, Zeke served initially with the military police, then using his skills as a machinist became an expert in small arms repair and finished his service with the special forces where his additional skills of being fluent in Slovak and German were utilized. After his service, Zeke returned to the tool and die industry working for 25 years for Bosch, formerly Weldun International in Bridgman. Raising his family in St. Joseph, Zeke enjoyed spending time outdoors fishing, building projects like a large tree house known throughout the neighborhood, and attending as many of his children’s and grand children’s events as he could. In retirement Zeke enjoyed traveling, woodworking in his shop, and dancing the Polka at local Octoberfest events. Known for his gruff exterior but soft heart, Zeke was kind and helpful to all and will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved him.
Zeke is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sharon (Howley)Virsik children, Verena (James) Turney, Jacqueline Ricci, Tonya (Kevin) Nanzer, Vince Virsik, Amy (Phillip) Cole; grandchildren, Stetson (Haley) Turney, Payton (Julian) Hughes, Morgan Virsik, Justin Nanzer, Parker Nanzer, Rylee Nanzer, Abigail Cole, Andrew Cole, Adam Cole; great-grandchildren, Taylor Turney, Reese Turney, Brooks Turney; sister, Darina Swift; sister-in-law, Cathy Virsik; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Lexine Turney; brother, Milan Virsik; brother-in-law Richard Swift, and nephew, Richard “Ricky” Swift.
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