Anthony Stanislaus Walawender

Anthony Stanislaus Walawender, age 96, of Warren, Michigan, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2026. Born on October 28, 1929, in the village of Duninów, in the Tarnopol voivodship (województwo tarnopolskie) of southeastern Poland, he was the son of Stanisław Walawender (1906–1983) and Maria (née Babiarz) Walawender (1910–2007). When World War II started, the Soviet Army deported Anthony and his family, with all other ethnic Poles in the province, to Siberia and Kazakhstan. After their release, his journey took him through Iran and India before he arrived in the United States as one of the “Chłopcy z Polski” (Boys from Poland), who came from India to the Orchard Lake Schools in Michigan. He was an alumnus of St. Mary’s Preparatory at Orchard Lake, St. Mary’s College, and the University of Detroit. A retired veteran of the United States Army, Anthony served during the Korean War. He dedicated his career to education as a school teacher and college professor. Active in numerous Polish organizations, he was the founder of the Adam Mickiewicz Polish language school. A devout Catholic, Anthony was a parishioner at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church. He was also an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, Lions, and Pistons. Anthony is survived by his beloved wife, Helen (née Lenk) Walawender; his seven children, Christine (Robert) McClelland, Barbara Wisniewski, Richard (Brenda) Walawender, Chester (Julie) Walawender, Joann (William) Spencer, Diane (James) Burlison, and Anna (Craig) Mathie; his eighteen grandchildren, Cassandra McClelland, Alexander McClelland, Christopher (Leann) Wisniewski, Nicholas (Meghan) Wisniewski, Angela (Awenate) Wisniewski-Cobbina, Nicole Tabin, Andrew (Katelyn) Walawender, Teresa Walawender, John (McKenna) Walawender, Maria Walawender, Timothy (Megan) Bazil, Carlee (Matthew) Gaidica, Jenna (Mathieu) Sanders, Matthew (Olivia) Burlison, Stephanie (Barrett) Hall, Joshua Mathie, Luke Mathie, and Joseph Mathie; his fifteen great-grandchildren, Estella, Vera, and Jax Wisniewski, Maximilian, Lillian, and Olivia Wisniewski, Baldwin Ama Cobbina, Caitlin and Clara Tabin, Genevieve and Gemma Walawender, Huxley and Theo Gaidica, and Violet and Sadie Burlison; his sisters, Stanisława (the late Stanisław) Chamerska, Zofia (the late Zdzisław) Walisiewicz, and Danuta (Kazimierz) Wrona; and numerous nieces and nephews in the USA, UK, Canada, and Poland. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanisław and Maria Walawender; and his brother, Józef Walawender. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Anthony’s name to: Szkola Polska Mickiewicza (Mickiewicz Polish Language School), 3100 18 Mile, Sterling Heights, MI 48310.

Anthony Stanislaus Walawender

October 28, 1929 - June 8, 2026