OLEJNICZAK, Mitchell John, Jr. – of Davison, MI, age 77, passed away Friday, November 15, 2024. A Mass of Christian Burial, with Military Honors, will be celebrated 1 PM Monday, November 25, 2024 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 404 North Dayton Street, Davison, MI 48423; Rev. Fr. Andrew A. Czajkowski celebrant. Interment 10 AM Tuesday, November 26, 2024 in Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road, Holly, MI 48442. The family will receive visitors 2-7 PM Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Allen Funeral Home, 9136 Davison Road, Davison, MI 48423. Memorial Services conducted under the auspices of the Davison Knights of Columbus Bishop Albers Council 4090 and the Ardon F. Dubie Fourth Degree Assembly 0523 will be held 6:30 PM Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Allen Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ASPCA or St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Choir Fund, in Mitch’s memory.
Mitch was born in Detroit, MI on May 27, 1947, son of the late Mitchell and Betty (Moore) Olejniczak. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from December 1968-August 1970 having been stationed in Germany and Korea. On May 23, 1969, Mitch married Sandy (Coatta) at St. Dennis Church in Royal Oak, MI. Sandy preceded him in death on October 14, 2002. Mitch was employed in quality control at General Motors for 34 years where he had the honor of escorting Miss America at the Detroit Auto Show. He was also chosen to fly with the Blue Angels in the Air Show and represented GM in the Hot Air Balloon Show in Jackson, MI. He officiated high school football and baseball through the MHSAA for over 40 years. Mitch was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus with the Ardon F. Dubie Fourth Degree Assembly 0523, a member of Davison’s Bishop Albers Council 4090 and Past Grand Knight of Lapeer’s Fr. Goentges Council 1987. He also served as Post Adjutant at the Davison American Legion Post 267. For the past 22 years, Mitch made many friends while working at the Lapeer Country Club. He loved garage sales and finding a good bargain. Mitch was an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions. He loved dogs and was lucky to have had many over the years, the last two being his precious Luke and Molly. Mitch was a faithful member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. He served as a member and past president of the Men’s Club and was also a member of the Celebration Choir. It was at a choir practice where Mitch met Connie (Metar) and they were married at the 10 AM Mass on June 4, 2006. Mitch and Connie spent 18 years together where they enjoyed traveling, going to plays and musicals, trips to the casino and playing cards with friends.
Left to cherish Mitch’s memory are his wife, Connie Olejniczak; his 3 children, Becki (Matt) Kuligowski, Kate (Jason) Gagne and Joseph (Missy) Olejniczak; Connie’s 2 children, Amy Quinn and Scott (Kelsey) Quinn; 10 grandchildren, Adelynn “rotten kid”, Norah, Kennedy, Reese, Malia, Collynns, Ethan, Zak, Carson and Brock; sister, Carmen Hawk; brother, Jim Olejniczak; several nieces, nephews, many other loving family members and good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mitchell and Betty (Moore) Olejniczak; 3 siblings, Rosalie Young, Mike Olejniczak and Barbara Arcilesi.
The family would like to extend a very sincere thank you to the 6th floor Coronary Care Unit at McLaren-Flint Hospital for their excellent care.