Theophilus "Phil" Lawrence Budnik, 86, of Brutus, died June 23, 2020 at Pineview Cottage in Harbor Springs.
Phil was born on February 28, 1934, in Posen, Michigan. He was one of 16 children born to Theophilus and Antoinette (Strzelecki) Budnik.
At age 17, Phil left school and began driving trucks for a living he also worked until his retirement from H&D Road Building for 28 years as an operating engineer. He was a member of the Operating Engineer’s Local 324 for 50 years. He joined the United States Army in 1955 and proudly served his country until his honorable discharge in 1957. A year before entering the Army his cousin set him up on a date with her college roommate, Doris Kuebler, and the rest is history.
Doris and Phil were married on January 31, 1959. They would go on to live the next 61 years happily married.
In 1964, Doris and Phil moved to Brutus and started their own family farm. Phil never took a day off but didn't seem to mind the work. He was a creative guy and could make beautiful pieces of art out of scrap metal or redesign a piece of machine equipment to make it run smoother or more fit to his needs. His family lovingly referred to the refurbished items that came out of his garage as "Phil built".
In his spare time, Phil enjoyed going to the Polka festivals with Doris. He was a devoted member of St. Clements church in Pellston and a pillar of his community in Brutus. He loved the Lord, he loved his family and he will be deeply missed by neighbors and friends.
Phil is survived by the love of his life, Doris Budnik of Brutus; his daughter, Jacquelyn (John) Foye of Montgomery, TX; his sons, Robert Budnik, Brian (Leslie) Budnik, Charlie (Heather) Budnik and Ron (Tracy) Budnik all of Northern Michigan; his daughter-in-law, Carol Budnik of Rochester, MN; grandchildren, John, Jr. (Bristie), Justin (Rose), Kelsey (Nick), Jeff, Kari (Alex), Stephanie (Jackson), Ben (Gina), Morgan, Jacob (Madison), Matthew (Kelly), Dylan (Ashley), Conner, Hannah, Zach (Bri), and Haley (Chris); great grandchildren, John III, Mathew, Lyrica, Makenna, Evianna, Charolotte, Emily, Madison and Liam; siblings, Carol Darga, Leon (Joan) Budnik, Janet (Bill) Buczkowski, George (Joanie) Budnik, Emil (Pat) Budnik, Elaine (Bill) Grzeskowiak, Larry (Barb) Budnik, and Mitchell (Clara) Budnik; sister-in-law, Wilma Kuebler; brother-in-law, Wayne (Georgiana) Kuebler; and many nieces and nephews.
Phil is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Thomas Budnik; great grandson, Brooks Budnik; and siblings, Aloysius "Fritz", Clarence, Alphonse, Bernadine, Patrick, Florian and Annette.
There will be a visitation at Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey on Monday, June 29, 2020 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. A recitation of the Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m. Those attending the visitation need to wear a face mask or covering and practice social distancing while inside the funeral home.
A Funeral Mass will be held the following day, June 30, 2020 for family only. Father Duane Wachowiak will officiate. A public reception will be held for friends and family, June 30, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. at Doris and Phil's home, 3350 US 31, Brutus, MI 49716.
In lieu of flowers, the Budnik family suggests family and friends make a donation in Phil's memory to a charity of their choice.
Stone Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
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