Leo E. O'Parka

Leo Eugene O'Parka, 87, of Harbor Beach, passed away January 12, 2025 at home under hospice care. Leo was born near Tyre, Mich. on August 8, 1937 to the late Henry and Blanche (Skrypinski) O'Parka. Leo attended Sparling School and was a graduate of Ubly High School, Class of 1955. Leo was a loving husband to Marian Nitz of Harbor Beach since November 29, 1958. They started their life together in Garden City, and after having their first four girls, they moved back home to Ubly and eventually the home they lived in for over fifty-five years. He did many jobs over the years: farming, working at Carmet Company in Bad Axe, Huron Laundry in Harbor Beach, as well as offering his help to whoever needed to put a new roof on their house, etc. He made it a priority to spend lots of quality time with his daughters: he took his girls swimming, fishing, fox hunting, picking blueberries in the marsh, and helped them to raise strawberries, raspberries, and cucumbers. He was a member of the Ubly Fox Hunters Club since its start in 1964 and served as its vice president for many years and spent many decades with his “girls” cleaning and making sure the building looked its best for all of its events. He was a great bowler, softball player, and skeet shooter. He enjoyed hunting all of his life; even in his later years squirrels weren’t safe on his property. He loved playing euchre with friends and family; you were almost always guaranteed to win if you were his partner; otherwise, be prepared to get your ace trumped. In retirement, they enjoyed taking car trips to see the Fall colors and to visit family members. He was a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Parish, serving as usher for many years and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. The family would like to thank Dr. Gassan Alaouie as well as the nurses of Residential Hospice for their compassionate care. Leo is survived by his wife, Marian O’Parka, and five daughters: Lisa (Marcus) Niessen, Janice Hertzog, Lynn Rae (Ken) Sample, Allison (Ron) Rice, and Carrie (Kurt) Dekoski. Seven grandchildren: Briana (Mike) Tyler, Deborah Niessen, Katherine (George) Lindberg, Erica (Gary) Carter-Cupp, Louis (Amber) Hertzog, Nicole (Daniel) Hanson, Sr. Kelly Rice, PJC, as well as five great-grandchildren and 1 great-great- grandson. He is also survived by his two sisters: Rose LaBuhn and Delphine (Henry) Wolschlager, as well as sisters-in-law Marie Nitz, Marilyn Stacer, and brother-in-law, Marvin Nitz of Harbor Beach, and numerous nephews and nieces. Leo was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Cheri Barfield, great- grandson, Jacob, son-in-law Scott Hertzog, brothers Ervin and his wife Delores, Julius O’Parka, sister Marguerite O’Parka, and in-laws: William LaBuhn, Margaret and Clarence Hessling, and Linus Stacer. Funeral Mass for Leo will be January 18th, 2025 at 11am, at Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, of the Holy Name of Mary Parish, Harbor Beach, MI, with Bishop Jeffrey Monforton and Rev. Kevin Wojciechowski, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the OLLH Church Cemetery. Visitation for Leo will be on Friday, January 17th from 2-8pm at the Ramsey Funeral Home of Harbor Beach. The rosary will be prayed at 6:30pm. On Saturday, visitation will be at the funeral home from 9:30am-10:30am. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic School. Memories can be shared at www.RamseyFH.com

Leo E. O'Parka

August 8, 1937 - January 12, 2025