Theodore Kusmierz

Theodore Louis Kusmierz, age 92, of Wyoming, Michigan was received lovingly by his Lord Jesus Christ on Monday, April 15, 2024. Ted was born April 19, 1931, in Bay City, Michigan. He enlisted in the US Navy during the Korean War and was Honorably Discharged in 1954 after serving on the USS Marquette, an Andromeda Class attack cargo ship. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Aloysius and Lucille (Niedzielski) Kusmierz; his son, James Kusmierz; brothers, Don Kusmierz, Al Kusmierz, James Kusmierz and Paul Kusmierz; first wife, Jeannine Betty Lou Sass (Kusmierz, Mielicke); and second wife, Donna Kusmierz (Van Eck). Ted is survived by his sister, Theresa "Tess" Blondin; his third wife, Dolores Antikeier-Kusmierz; his children with Jeannine, Jeffrey (Kim) Kusmierz of Caledonia, MI, Joel Kusmierz of Cedar Springs, MI, Jennifer (Chris) Kuczynski of Cedar Springs, MI, Jason Kusmierz of Grand Rapids, MI, and Jessica (Timothy) Adams of Rockford, MI; five grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and a multitude of nieces and nephews. At 16 years old he and his brother, Al opened a successful automobile body repair shop in Bay City, MI before joining the US Navy in 1952. He graduated from Bay City Central High School. He then married Jeannine Meilicke in 1953 and fathered 6 children. Ted worked for Mitchell-Bentley Corporation for his father-in-law, Edward O. Meilicke Sr. before graduating from Davenport College in Grand Rapids, MI with an Associates in Business and Marketing. He then worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and achieved Million Dollar Salesman for five years in a row. Ted also worked for the Arms-Malcom Insurance Agency for many years before his retirement. Ted, as well as his brothers and sister, were of great intelligence, dignity and creativity, which prevailed in everything they set out to accomplish. He was a devout Catholic and known for his deep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a Knight with the Wyoming chapter of Knights of Columbus, and served his community and the several parish churches he attended. He was a long standing member of The Y's Men's Club of Grand Rapids, MI. His kindness, generosity and wit was the hallmark everyone knew Ted best by. Ted's wish to donate his body to science and medical training was achieved upon his passing with acceptance into the Michigan State University Willed Body Program, where he will continue his "work" helping upcoming nurses and doctors at the MSU Medical Campus in Grand Rapids, MI. Upon release from MSU in 1-3 years, his cremated remains will be interred at Resurrection Cemetery on Clyde Park in Wyoming, MI for Catholic Burial which will include the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard and full Military Honors at the graveside service. The details for the burial will be announced once they become available. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 301 Sheldon Blvd SE, Grand Rapids, MI, with Rev. Mike Cruickshank officiating. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Ted’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory or photo, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Theodore Kusmierz, please visit our flower store.