WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Joseph M. Stelmark Jr., 78, of Wakefield, formerly a longtime resident of Bessemer, passed away Friday, Feb. 19, 2021.

Joseph was born on July 10, 1942, in Wakefield, son of the late Isabel V. (Olejniczak) and Joseph M. Stelmark Sr. He graduated from the old St. Sebastian Grade School and A.D. Johnston High School in 1960.

Joseph worked for many years with Lawrence Burt Logging.

He was a veteran enlisting in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968.

Joseph continued his education and graduated from Northland College and then was employed by the U.S. Forest Service until his retirement.

He was a lifelong member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer.

Joseph is survived by several cousins; and many friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, June 11, at 11 a.m., at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 210 E. Iron St., in Bessemer, with the Rev. Dominic Agyapong, celebrant.

Rite of Committal, military honors and interment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.