Julian John Romel

Our dad, Julian John Romel, joined hands with our Lord on Friday, June 12, 2026. His loving wife, Geraldine, was at his side holding his hand.

Julian was born November 15, 1933, on an extremely cold day -6 below zero! He was the fourth child born to his parents, Veronica (Donajkowski) and John Romel. He joined brothers, Del, Arnold, and Art (Barbara) and sisters, Eleanore (Jack Shuell), and Leona (Witulski).

On September 5, 1953, Julian married his loving wife, Geraldine (Shorkey). They wasted no time in adding 6 branches to their family tree, Julie (Chris Wozniak), Gail (Jan Halleck), Tom (Brenda), Ann (Sweet), Karen (Mark Corthals), and Tami (Bruce Anscheutz). Those branches added 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.

Julian began his career at Shalla’s Service Station, where he would whistle at Geraldine as she walked by each day. After he was able to get her attention, he went to work at Huron Portland Cement Company in 1952 and took a break to serve our country in the Korean War, returning to Huron Portland Cement, where he retired after 35 years on the job as a Class A Welder. When Geraldine thought it would be a wonderful idea for Julian to help her out with her catering business, Julian quickly found employment with S&A Construction, once again as a welder. After that, Julian said goodbye to cold winters and headed to Florida as a snowbird (with no chance of working in Geraldine’s catering business).

Julian will be most remembered by his family for being an absolute World War history pro. If you had a war story, you’d better have your facts correct before telling Julian, or he’d pull the rug out from under you. If you brought him a new book on any war, he would plant himself in his living room chair for days, then returning to constantly recite facts to his astounded and delighted family and friends.

We’re pretty sure the Lord will be speaking directly to Julian about his merciless teasing of Geradine each year before leaving for Florida for Winter. He would tell her (and anyone else who would listen) they weren’t going that year. He would persist with this nonsense until three days before leaving and then he’d start packing at high speed. He was, after all, the captain of the horseshoe team!

Julian was very happy spending time in his vegetable garden and bragged about growing a 2-pound Cibula (Onion). Julian spoke fluent Polish and visited Poland in 2014 at the age of 81! After studying the regions that he was to visit, he educated his family with his pre-trip knowledge, and we all said our private prayers for the tour guide.

Dad looked forward to his fishing trip to Canada each year, and the laughter over the fishing trip adventures brought such a smile to his face! It was pretty obvious he didn’t go for the fishing.

If you ever went for a ride in the country with Dad, he was a great adventurer who loved to take a new and different road just to see where it would lead. Sometimes he landed just in time before he ran out of gas! But he knew every road in three counties.

Julian was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, American Legion, Knights of Columbus and attendee of Booster Club’s Monday Breakfast. He much enjoyed his daily coffee with the McDonald’s crew.

As I’m looking back now at the end of my life,

I will miss the time spent side-by-side with my wife,

We married way back in 1953

Six children completed our family tree

Don’t be sad, I’m celebrating my Earthly end!

I’m up here with my Jesus and we’ll be together again.

Family will receive friends for a celebration of Julian’s life at A.E. Ross Funeral Home on Friday, June 19th, 2026 from 10am until 12pm. Inurnment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be sent to Huron Humane Society and Hospice of Michigan.