Joseph John Cabla

Joseph John Cabla, age 90, of Britton, passed away on August 20, 2021 after a courageous 22 year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family at home. Joe was born September 14, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan to Czech immigrant parents, Joseph and Frances (Manasek) Cabla. On May 5, 1956 he married Shirley Ann Gladieux in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Toledo, Ohio. Joe served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He retired from the Tecumseh Products in 1991, after 41 years of service. A devout Catholic, Joe was a member of St. Joseph Church in Ida, and St. Elizabeth/St. Dominic Church in Tecumseh/Clinton. He was a cantor and sang in their choirs for over 64 years. He and his wife Shirley hosted a rosary and bible study group in their home for 14 years, and made many religious pilgrimages. He was a member of the Tecumseh American Legion, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, coached Little League in Britton, was a member of the Shawnee Squares Dance group and was the president and an occasional caller during the Bicentennial year. Joe had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing, songwriting, and playing the accordion and keyboard. He was skilled in gardening, carpentry, planting trees, and cooking. He was truly a warm and generous person, and will be remembered for his quick wit, compassion, and love of family, friends and animals. In addition to his wife of 65 years Shirley, Joe is survived by his daughter Joyce (JD) Lancaster; grandchildren, Karena (Elden “Ted”) Cattell, Joey (Rebecca) Cabla, Jacy (Jon) Grabo, Jimmy (Deanna) Lancaster, Juli and Jared Lancaster; great-grandchildren, Assumpter, Judea, Ambrose and Perpetua Cattell, Taryn, Levi and Ellie Cabla, Emilia Lancaster and Audrey Grabo; nieces, Karen Simek Kennedy and Janet (David) Ruman, and many dear relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, David John (in infancy), and Joseph Michael Cabla and his sister and brother-in-law, Blanche and Joseph Simek.  A Mass of the Christian Burial will be 12:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church with Fr. Daniel Wheeler as celebrant. Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery with military honors provided by The Tecumseh American Legion and Tecumseh VFW. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home Tecumseh and one hour prior to the mass at the church. A scripture service will be at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. The family would like to thank Hospice of Lenawee for their caring and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hospice of Lenawee or for masses at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.

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