1924
Joe
2023
Joe Ponikiewski
May 5, 1924 — March 20, 2023
Joe Ponikiewski, a longtime Livonia resident and World War II veteran, passed away in the early morning hours of March 20, 2023, at St. Mary Hospital in Livonia. He was 98 years old.
Joe was born and raised in Bobtown, Pennsylvania. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS President Hayes in the South Pacific until 1946. In 1952, he married the former Henrietta Cieluch, and they enjoyed over 66 years of marriage until her death in 2016. Together, Joe and Henrietta raised Karen (Ben) Stefanovski, son Kris, and Laura. Joe was the proud grandfather of Amy Stefanovski, Nicholas Ponikiewski, Steven Stefanovski, Paige Ponikiewski, and Kyle Ponikiewski. Survived by brother Ted Ponik (Mary Ann) and sister Ann Czosnek (late Joseph).
He worked for Cadillac Motors in downtown Detroit with his wife Henrietta, his brother Stanley, his wife’s brother Mitchell and her sister Stella. General Motors opened Cadillac powertrain plant in 1971 in Livonia and they all moved there until they retired. Joe retired after 44 years.
Joe loved to golf. He played with his brother Stanley and his friends twice a week for many years. He also played golf with his brothers Ted and Walter when he went upnorth. Joe was a member of the Saint Genevieve bowling league at Merri-Bowl in Livonia for over 10 years. He once had a perfect score of 300 and received an award. Joe was also an active member of Pvt. John Lyskawa VFW Post 7546 in Dearborn Heights.
Joe is preceded in death by his wife Henrietta, parents Stanley and Anna (Pohopien) Ponikiewski, and brothers Stanley (late Agnes) Ponikiewski and Walter (late Florence) Ponik.
Visitation will take place at Manns Family Funeral Home, 17000 Middlebelt Rd., Livonia on Friday, March 24 from 2-7 p.m. A Rosary will be held at 7 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 25 at 11 a.m. at St. Genevieve-St. Maurice Catholic Church, 29015 Jamison St., Livonia. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until Mass begins.
Interment will be held at St. Hedwig Cemetery, 23755 Military Rd., Dearborn Heights following funeral Mass.
Joe was born and raised in Bobtown, Pennsylvania. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS President Hayes in the South Pacific until 1946. In 1952, he married the former Henrietta Cieluch, and they enjoyed over 66 years of marriage until her death in 2016. Together, Joe and Henrietta raised Karen (Ben) Stefanovski, son Kris, and Laura. Joe was the proud grandfather of Amy Stefanovski, Nicholas Ponikiewski, Steven Stefanovski, Paige Ponikiewski, and Kyle Ponikiewski. Survived by brother Ted Ponik (Mary Ann) and sister Ann Czosnek (late Joseph).
He worked for Cadillac Motors in downtown Detroit with his wife Henrietta, his brother Stanley, his wife’s brother Mitchell and her sister Stella. General Motors opened Cadillac powertrain plant in 1971 in Livonia and they all moved there until they retired. Joe retired after 44 years.
Joe loved to golf. He played with his brother Stanley and his friends twice a week for many years. He also played golf with his brothers Ted and Walter when he went upnorth. Joe was a member of the Saint Genevieve bowling league at Merri-Bowl in Livonia for over 10 years. He once had a perfect score of 300 and received an award. Joe was also an active member of Pvt. John Lyskawa VFW Post 7546 in Dearborn Heights.
Joe is preceded in death by his wife Henrietta, parents Stanley and Anna (Pohopien) Ponikiewski, and brothers Stanley (late Agnes) Ponikiewski and Walter (late Florence) Ponik.
Visitation will take place at Manns Family Funeral Home, 17000 Middlebelt Rd., Livonia on Friday, March 24 from 2-7 p.m. A Rosary will be held at 7 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 25 at 11 a.m. at St. Genevieve-St. Maurice Catholic Church, 29015 Jamison St., Livonia. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until Mass begins.
Interment will be held at St. Hedwig Cemetery, 23755 Military Rd., Dearborn Heights following funeral Mass.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joe Ponikiewski, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
First Visitation
Friday, March 24, 2023
2:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)
Manns Family Funeral Home
Rosary Service
Friday, March 24, 2023
Starts at 7:00 pm (Eastern time)
Manns Family Funeral Home
Service
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
St. Genevieve- St. Maurice Catholic Church
Guestbook
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