Emily Goloversic Lafave

Emily Mary Goloversic LaFave was a warm, loving woman who knew the joy of a wonderful family. With great devotion to her children and an appreciation for hard work, Emily loved gardening, and planted beauty wherever she went in the world. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Emily brought true joy into the world, and touched many lives with her caring spirit. In the year 1915, the United States found itself facing great hardships and troubles. With war raging in Europe, the nation was desperately trying to avoid entering a conflict that would later be known as WWI. But in Findlay, Pennsylvania, William and Agnesa (Kolesar) Oravetz were distracted from the troubles around them as they cared for their thirteen children, and prepared their home for the arrival of one more. When the year 1916 rolled around, William and Agnesa celebrated the new year by welcoming their newest child into the world, a baby girl they named Emily Mary. Emily's parents were recent immigrants from Slovakia, and worked hard to support their family. While William, who was a carpenter, worked in the coal mines, Agnesa was kept busy at home caring for her children and keeping up the house. As the youngest of fourteen children, Emily experienced a fairly typical childhood in Pennsylvania, and was never without a playmate. Taking the example from her parents, Emily developed a great work ethic, and was kept busy attending school and helping around the house. When Emily was in her late teens, she met a young man named John Goloversic. John lived in a nearby town, and also worked in the coal mines. The two started dating, and soon fell deeply in love. In the year 1935, when Emily was 19 years old, they exchanged vows of marriage and became husband and wife. Both Emily and John were eager to start a family, and Emily had five children, daughters Patricia and Martha followed by three sons, John, Bill and Jim. By this time, the world had entered another time of war, and the United States was preparing for the fight. With manufacturing picking up again, John decided to seek work in Muskegon, Michigan, and found a job at Continental Motors. He left Emily and the kids back in Pennsylvania, promising to send for them as soon as he could. After a year, Emily traveled by train with the five children to join him in Muskegon. Once she had arrived in Muskegon, Emily found work at Continental Motors as well, as many women did during WWII. The Goloversic family settled in Ruddiman Terrace, a housing project in Muskegon. While many families in this area lived there only temporarily, the Goloversics called this their home until 1976. Emily gave birth to four more children, welcoming Bob, Richard, Sandy and Star into their family. With nine children, their family was so large that everyone at Ruddiman Terrace knew the Goloversics. Emily worked hard to make this a wonderful home for her family, and added beauty to the area by keeping a lovely flower garden. Often, she planted vegetables among the flowers as well, hidden in hopes that the neighborhood children wouldn't steal them. After working at Continental Motors, Emily found her true calling in working as a waitress. She was excellent at this job, and worked at several different restaurants over the years, including Drelles', Lakos, House of Chan, and Holly's at the Inn. Wherever she worked, Emily was everyone's favorite waitress, and often had regular customers who requested that they sit in her section. Over the years, John would get laid off from time to time; during these periods, it was Emily's pay that kept the family going. Emily and John were devoted to their Catholic faith, and attended St. Francis deSales Catholic Church. They also sent many of their children to Catholic schools. Family was very important to them as well, and they took regular trips with their family to Pennsylvania to visit relatives. Sadly, in the year 1974, John passed away. Two years later, Emily purchased a mobile home in Apple Carr Village and also took a memorable trip across the country with her son John who had just retired from the Marine Corp. They visited places in California, Utah, Wyoming and more before ending up at son Jim's place in the Upper Peninsula. During this time, Emily unfortunately experienced back problems, and was forced to stop waitressing. Nevertheless, she still kept an active social life, spending time with friends and family. By this time, Emily had become a grandmother, and adored having her grandkids over. During their visits, Emily was adamant that her grandkids clean their plates at dinner, and enjoyed their help in her garden. In the mid 1980's, Emily met a man named Fritz Van Wyngaarden, and the two were soon married in 1985. Emily moved into his place in North Muskegon, where she kept a beautiful flower garden. Sadly, their marriage was cut short when Fritz died in 1988. Emily was deeply saddened by his passing, but fortunately wasn't alone for too long. In the year 1990, she met a man named Joseph LaFave, who was in Muskegon visiting his daughter, a neighbor of Emily's. Emily and Joseph hit it off right away, and after a short time were married. Emily joined Joe in his home in the Upper Peninsula, in Iron Mountain. There, she started another garden, and lived a happy and comfortable life. Her son lived in the Upper Peninsula as well, and she and Joe were often visited by her other children. During these visits, they enjoyed playing Rummy 500 together, which Emily would usually win, though she was known to rig the game from time to time. As the years passed, both Emily and Joe experienced health issues, though Emily always rallied from her ailments. Sadly, Joe passed away in 2003, leaving Emily to mourn the loss of her third husband. Her son, Bob, came to Iron Mountain to live with Emily for a short time, and they eventually moved back to Muskegon. Emily continued living with her son, during which time she attended St. Thomas Catholic Church, and was kept company by her little Rat Terrier, Blu. Eventually, the years began to take a greater toll on Emily's body, and though her mind stayed sharp, her body could not keep up. Emily died on Tuesday, February 22, 2011. For Emily Mary Goloversic LaFave, true joy was simple to find; it was in the smile of her grandchildren, the beauty of a garden full of flowers. and the company of her children. A kind, hard working woman, Emily touched many hearts throughout her life, and was dearly loved. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Emily will be truly missed, and fondly remembered. Emily is survived by her sons, John (Doris) Goloversic of Spring Lake, Bill (Rosemary) Goloversic of N. Muskegon, James (Mary) Goloversic of Ishpeming, Bob Goloversic of Muskegon; daughters, Martha (Joseph) Paleka of Chicago, Sandy (David) Scheidegger of Muskegon, Star (Ron) Baird of Muskegon; 40 grandchildren; many great and great great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Lois Goloversic; son-in-law, Dave Corgan. She was preceded in death by her 1st husband, John Goloversic; 2nd husband, Fritz Van Wyngaarden; 3rd husband, Joseph LaFave; son, Richard & daughter, Patricia Corgan. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011, 12 noon with visitation 2 hours prior to the service at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon. Interment at St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society or Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.