Eugene Rolka

ROLKA, Eugene Leon, "Gene" age 82, of Holly, died Thursday, August 2, 2007 at Crestmont Healthcare Center, Fenton. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:30AM Saturday, August 4, 2007 at the Chapel of St. John Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide St. Fenton. Rev. Fr. David Harvey celebrant. Visitation will be 2-8PM Friday at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton. A rosary will be prayed 7PM Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be 11:30AM Monday at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly.  Gene was born February 6, 1925 in Saginaw the son of Leon and Mary (Jankowski) Rolka. He was a graduate of Saginaw High School, attended Bay City Jr. College and Michigan Technological University.  Gene married Shirley Marie Beiring on January 28, 1950 in Hancock, Michigan. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps serving in WWII. Gene was employed as a salesman for 40 years by UBC Marketing until his retirement in 1990. He was a member of Grocers Manufacturers Association and United Commercial Travelers Insurance, earning his 50 year diamond gold pin. Gene had been a member, song leader and Eucharistic Minister for Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Saginaw and most recently was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Fenton. Surviving are his loving wife of 57 years, Shirley; 8 children, Mary Pirrone and husband Mike of Grand Rapids, Chester Rolka and wife Diane of Ann Arbor, Kathryn Dinkel and husband Larry of Gladwin, Thomas Rolka and wife Lynn of Pinckney, Margaret Moore and husband Paul of Loves Park, IL, Jeanette Marek and husband Mike of Swansea, IL, Daniel Rolka and wife Mary of Clarkston, Anthony Rolka and wife Paula of Holly Springs, NC; 21 grandchildren, Tera (Steve), Luke (Mel), Emily, Simon, Cameron, Joseph (Stephanie), Jared, Amanda, Adam, Kelly, Benjamin, Stefan, Sarah, Suzanna, Samuel, Seth, Matthew, Kathryn, Anthony, Alexis and Austin; 2 great-grandchildren, Aidan and Natalie; brother, Harry Rolka of Midland and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 sisters, Ella Kudlick, Wanda Parker, Irene Leppien, Adelia Barecki; 4 brothers, Edward, Chester, John and Frank Rolka. Online condolences and tributes may be posted on the Obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com