A beautiful soul left this earthly place on March 11, 2023, just short of her 96th birthday. Velvet June Martinchek was born on March 27, 1927, to Samuel and Laurena Huntley in Dollarville, MI. June, as friends and family called her, grew up in Dollarville and graduated from Newberry High School in 1945. June, her friends, and brother Gus and sisters Ida Bell and Leaona, loved to dance at the Club where she met future husband, John Martinchek. They married in 1952 and raised 3 children: Joette, Joel, and Jodi. When the children were small, June worked from home sewing and doing alterations for people. Later, she worked as a cook at the school where she met many lifelong friends. June  loved to work in her garden  at home as well as on their farm on Foley hill.She canned many jars of pickles and vegetables and won many blue ribbons for them at the annual fair held at Pentland hall. She was famous (at least to her family and friends)  for her raspberry pies!

John and June loved living in Newberry and  spent most of their marriage there except for living in Flint Michigan for one year.

In 2016 her beloved husband passed away at the age of 96.

June loved people and participating in activities with friends and family. She and John took countless long nature rides through the woods where they loved to see deer and other wildlife or pick blueberries. June loved impromptu suppers with friends and family, a rousing game of Hand and Foot or a board game with the grandkids followed by one of her famous raspberry or blueberry pies. June was an avid reader, accomplished seamstress, creative crafter, and prolific gardener. Other activities included hunting and fishing, cross country skiing, and garage sales. She especially loved picnics with her sister Leona and family. June also gave back to the community by participating in activities at the Newberry Methodist Church, with the Rebekahs and as a volunteer at the Senior Center. After retirement, June and John traveled to  fish and visit with son Joel and family, visit with Jodi wherever she and her husband were stationed in the Navy, and finally they became snowbirds in Arizona for 22 years where Joette and later, Jodi lived.

June Martinchek will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know her. She was caring, kind, and generous. She loved her family and friends unconditionally, and we know how blessed we were to have her as our mother, sister, aunt or friend. June is survived by her daughter Jodi Gardner (Corey), grandsons Jacob and Chase of Battle Creek, MI; Son, Joel Martinchek (Audrey) Cheboygan, MI, Grandson Justin Martinchek (Holly) of Handcock, MI, Granddaughter Jenna Hartman (Caleb), greatgrandchildren Paisley and Cole of Grand Rapids MI; Daughter Joette Torrisi (Peter), Granddaughter Andraya Harris (Weston) great grand twins, Rylee and Viktor of Phoenix, AZ; her sister Leona Williams of Escanaba, Mi; sister and brother-in-law Micki and Frank Martinchek and many cherished nieces and nephews.