David Serbinski

David was born Oct. 25, 1933, in Stambaugh, the son of the late Stanley and Joanna (LaSovage) Serbinski. He attended Stambaugh Schools, graduating from Stambaugh High School in 1951. David attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton for mechanical engineering.

David joined the United States Army in 1953 and completed airborne training in the 11th Airborne Division (Angels) at Fort Campbell, Ky., in November 1954. He was honorably discharged from active duty on May 25, 1956, and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Parachutist Badge, and the National Defense Service Medal. He then went on to serve in the Army National Guard until retirement in 1995.

David married the former Patricia Marie Cain on Aug. 1, 1953, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Santa Cruz, Calif. The couple made their home in Santa Cruz for 18 years, then moved their family to Iron River in 1971. They celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in 2001. Patricia preceded David in death on Sept. 6, 2001.

While in high school, David was employed as a delivery person for Baker Brothers Grocery in Stambaugh, in order to help afford his football and hockey equipment (the sports he loved the most). He played amateur hockey on the Red Wings Stambaugh team from 1949 through 1951, then went on to play semi-pro hockey with the Escanaba Hawks. David was also on the Stambaugh All Stars football team that won the coveted Barber Trophy in 1950. As an adult, David worked as a Coca-Cola distributor in Santa Cruz, in copper and iron mines in the Upper Peninsula, and as a bus route driver for West Iron County Schools.

He was a member of the American Legion Reino Post 21.

David had many hobbies, of which he especially enjoyed fly tying for trout fishing, wood working and gardening. He was an avid reader of historical fiction and non-fiction.

David was a Christian with a steadfast faith in God. He grew up with strong Catholic beliefs, and with them, he raised his family. He was a reader of the scriptures and developed deep Christian convictions, especially later in life. On his deathbed he uttered, “Jesus can take care of me — Jesus can take care of everything.”

David is survived by his daughter, Cathi Serbinski Laturi of Iron River; son, Michael (Susan) Serbinski of Iron River; daughters, Debi (Stanley) Serbinski Twardowski of Iron River, and Sandy (Jeff) Kinner of Phelps, Wis.; grandchildren Samuel David (Sara) Laturi, Mindi Ann (John) Laturi Stokoski, Amber Lyn Laturi, Rachael Serbinski, Joel (Adri) Serbinski, Joanna (Jeff) Miller, Ruth Serbinski, Grace Serbinski, Faith (Adam) Sieting, Mary Serbinski, Anne Serbinski, Rebekah (Chris) Paul, Isaac Serbinski and Jessica Kinner (Dustin Rasener); great-grandchildren, Ava and Lucy Serbinski, and Amalie Rose Rasener; many nieces and nephews and extended family; brother, Gerald Serbinski of Houghton; and sister, JoAnn (Duane) Sleeman of Iron River.

David was preceded in death by his brothers, Theodore, Edward, and Norman Serbinski; and his sister, Florence Wolff.

A private family memorial ceremony will be held for David with the American Legion Reino Post 21 Honor Guard, the West Side Veterans and the National Guard Honor Guard.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of David Anthony Serbinski at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com

Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.