William "Butch" Kubiak
Jan. 22, 1938-March 20, 2002
William "Butch" Kubiak, 64, of Stateline Road, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 5:53 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2002, in the Lakeland Medical Center, Niles.
Mr. Kubiak was born Jan. 22, 1938, in Niles, to Leo and Mary Jo (Wiatrolik) Kubiak, and was a lifetime resident of Niles.
He graduated from Saint Mary School in Niles, was a member of the Class of 1956 at Niles High School, and attended Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. He played football for Niles High School, Ferris State, and the U.S. Army.
Mr. Kubiak continued in his father's footsteps by owning and operating Kubiak's Tavern, the oldest tavern in Michigan, owned by the same family since 1933.
He attended Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles and was a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves. Mr. Kubiak enjoyed spending time with his family, grandsons, at the family cottage, and fishing.
On Jan. 25, 1964, in Niles he married the former Ellen Rose Armstrong. who survives. Their daughter and her husband, Diane C. and Daryl Janowiak of Niles; grandsons, Hunter J. and Connor W. Janowiak; and a brother and his wife, James and Kathleen Kubiak of Niles, also survive him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, in Saint Mary Catholic Church, with the Reverend William T. Melody of Notre Dame, Ind., officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, with veteran's flag presentation and taps by Harry Roberts of American Legion Post 26 in Niles following the committal services at the graveside.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m. today in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m. today.
Contributions in memory of William Kubiak may be made to the Niles Community Library.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown