John Shpilia

John “Scout” Shpilia, age 86, of Caseville, died Thursday morning, November 21, at his home while under hospice care.
He was born March 6, 1916, at the home of his parents, the late Peter and Katherine (Lysak) Shpilia in Detroit.
After high school, John worked at the Aluminum Company of America in Detroit for several years before becoming a firefighter for the City of Detroit. He retired as a Battalion Chief in 1976 after 34 years of service. He was then employed at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital for 5 years. In late 1980, he retired again and moved permanently to his cottage in Lake Twp., which he began building in 1962.
He was a member of St. Roch Catholic Church, Caseville, the Caseville Eagles Club and served as Lake Twp. Zoning Administrator for several years. John enjoyed the shoreline of Caseville by fishing from his boat in the summer and on the ice in the winter.
Surviving are his wife Mary; his daughter, Marlene Sharples of Caseville; four grandchildren, Laura (Jeff) Scott of Memphis, Lloyd (Janet) Cox of Redford, Kevin (Michelle) Sharples of Pinckney and Britney (Jason) Higginbotham of Taylor: seven great grandchildren, Kelli, Holli, Leah, Haley, Ashley, Ryan and Brett. Preceding him in death was a grandson, Michael, a brother, Alex Shpilia and a sister, Olga Purdo.
A funeral mass will be conducted 11:00 AM Monday, November 25, at St. Roch Catholic Church. Rev. Fr. Kenneth Yaroch, pastor will officiate with burial in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to United Hospice or the church.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 PM Saturday and 2 to 9 PM Sunday