Josef Antoni, 96, of Higgins Lake passed away on Wednesday May 4, 2022 at The Brook of Houghton Lake.
Josef was born on February 7, 1926 in Glaserhau, Slovakia to Stefan and Johanna (Grossmann) Antoni. After the war Josef moved to Hussenhofen, Germany, and worked as a home builder.
Josef was married on May 15, 1948 to Marie (Latzko) Antoni, and they moved to Detroit, MI in 1956. For most of his career, he worked as a wood model maker for Delta Model Company in Detroit.
After retiring he moved to Higgins Lake in 1991. He was a member of St. Hubert Catholic Church, St. Hubert Men’s Club, and the Knights of Columbus.
Josef enjoyed being outdoors, whether it be hunting, fishing, gardening, working in his small orchard or being a friendly face to his neighbors. He was a tinkerer, and always made sure to keep himself busy between projects, various card playing groups, church, his family and especially his grandsons.
As a young man Josef loved football (soccer) and played as the goal keeper on his community team. He enjoyed playing it and giving pointers to his grandsons and watching it all of his life. Josef also had the privilege to travel the world with a group as a participant of world studies classes through the Roscommon Area School District, Community Education Group.
Surviving Josef are his loving wife of 73 years, Marie Antoni; daughter, Inge (Frank) Bommarito of Okemos; two grandsons, Jesse (Stacy Clarke) Bommarito of Seattle, WA, and John (Kristen Snyder) Bommarito of Denver, CO; two sisters, Angela Lichtner of Philadelphia, PA, Maria Barth who resides in Germany; and several nieces and nephews. Josef was preceded in death by his parents, and seven brothers.
A Memorial Mass for Josef Antoni will be held at a later date at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Josef are asked to be directed to St. Hubert’s Catholic Church.
To send flowers to Josef’s family, please visit our floral store.
