History & Staff

Jerome F. Wasik Jr

Jerome F. Wasik, Jr. joined Wasik Funeral Home in 1958 after graduating from the Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science, although he had been helping his father since he was a teenager. Before attending Wayne State, he graduated from Central Michigan University and served in the United States Army.

During his tenure at the Wasik Funeral Home, Jerry has served as a member of both the Michigan and National Funeral Directors Association, and was District One President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association. He is a licensed Michigan Funeral Director, and since 1996, he has been the co-owner of Wasik Funeral Home and oversaw the expansion of the firm into Shelby Township in 2000. In May of 2018 Jerry was recognized by the Michigan Funeral Directors Association for being a licensed funeral director for 60 years.

Jerry retired from day to day employment in 2016. He and his wife Mary Ann enjoy spending time with their grand daughters Alaina and Lauren at their condo in Shelby Township.

Sadly Jerry passed away on October 22, 2020 after a short illness. His presence is greatly missed however his legacy lives on through his family and their involvement every day at the funeral home.

Joseph J. Wasik

Joseph J. Wasik had been a funeral-care professional for 50 years, and continued to bring his knowledge and experience to Wasik Funeral Home. After graduating in 1959 from St. Mary’s Prepatory in Orchard Lake, MI, Joe studied at the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science until he completed the program in 1964. He became a licensed funeral director later that year and began working for the family business. He lived one block from the funeral home on Barlow Street with Camille, where he raised three children - Betsy, Joe and Audrey.

After closing the Detroit location, he and his brother expanded the business in Warren and later in Shelby Township. Joe retired from his role in the day-to-day operation in January 2007, spending some of his retirement years in Presque Isle Harbor, MI. He was a peaceful man and loved a simple existence with Camille and loved his time “up north”.

Joe cherished spending time with his family and was a very positive and optimistic person. When people asked him how he was, he always used his favorite phrase - “Just Ducky”- and feeling great in life. He was co-owner of Wasik Funeral Homes, a member of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, where he received recognition for being a Funeral Director for 50 years. He was a passionate man who had a great love for his profession and managing the Funeral Home in Warren. Joe was a faith-filled man with special devotion to St. Francis of Assisi. He was a member of St. Martin de Porres Parish in Warren and formerly of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Detroit. Sadly, Joe passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 27, 2014. His legacy is treasured.

Joseph P. Wasik, President/Funeral Director

Joseph P. Wasik, a 1986 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods, completed the Mortuary Science program in 1990 and concluded his studies with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1991 from Wayne State University majoring in Mortuary Science. After serving his residency with the family business, he became a licensed funeral director in 1991 and he has been an active employee of the family business since 1988. He was recently recognized by the Michigan Funeral Directors Association for being a licensed funeral director for 25 years. In his pastime, he enjoys Golfing, Boating, and spending time outdoors with his Chocolate Lab "Winston". He lives in Macomb Township with his wife, Lee Ann and three sons. He is currently a member of St. Isidore Catholic Church, where he volunteers his time in various parish organizations. Although Joseph is well experienced in all aspects of the funeral business, he is most passionate about providing his help and skills to the families that we are most "priviledged" to serve.

Mary Ellen Wasik-Corio, Vice President/ Secretary/Funeral Director

Since 1991, Mary Ellen Wasik-Corio has been an integral part of Wasik Funeral Home. While growing up in Detroit and later in Shelby Township, she attended Bishop Foley Catholic High School in Madison Heights graduating in 1990. By 1991 she was working at the funeral home as an Assistant Funeral Director and then attended the School of Mortuary Science at Wayne State University in 1998. Mary Ellen graduated from Wayne State in 2000 and also received her license as a Funeral Director during that same year. She is a member of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association. Mary Ellen is proud to be a part of the 4th Generation of Wasik's involved in operating the business and honored to carry on the tradition of Family Owned, Family Operated and Distinguished Family Service that her Father, Uncle, Grandfather and Great Grandfather started back in 1904 and continue to carry on today. Mary Ellen and her husband Ross reside in St. Clair Shores and are members of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in St. Clair Shores.

Michael J. Wasik CFSP, Vice President/Funeral Director

Michael J. Wasik is a licensed funeral director and has been a member of the Wasik Funeral Home staff since 2000. A 1991 graduate of De La Salle High School, Michael went on to attend Albion College , where he graduated in 1995. In 2003, he completed his classes in mortuary science and graduated from Wayne State University and earned his license in mortuary science. He is a past President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association District 6 (Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair Counties) and in 2009 he received his CFSP certification from the Academy or Professional Funeral Service Practice. In 2010 Mike gained his accreditation as a Michigan Advanced Planning Professional and was honored with membership in the Michigan Institute of Funeral Professionals both honors bestowed by the Michigan Funeral Directors Association. Mike is active in fundraising for De La Salle having been a member of the De La Salle Christian Brother's Dinner Committee since 2014 chairing the event in both 2017 and 2018. Mike is a member of the adjunct faculty of Fayetteville Community College in Fayetteville North Carolina teaching their distance learning course in Mortuary Anatomy. Mike and his wife Alissa along with their daughters Alaina and Lauren have lived in Shelby Township since 2005 where they are active members of St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church.

Audrey Jeffrey, Vice President/Funeral Director

Audrey is a 1987 graduate of Regina High School and also graduated from Wayne State University in 1992 with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development as well as in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science. While in Mortuary school , Audrey was the recipient of the Gerald P. Cavallier Excellence in Embalming Award. Audrey is a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church and currently resides in Chesterfield Township with her husband Keith and their two children, Adam and Caitlin.

Michael McGillen, Funeral Director

Michael McGillen, a 1972 graduate of Grosse Pointe South High School, received his Mortuary Science degree from Wayne State University, and became a licensed Funeral Director in 1976.  Following a 39 year funeral service career in Macomb County, he retired in 2015 as a funeral home manager. Since that time he has been proud to be affiliated with the Wasik Funeral Home, in a semi-retired capacity.  Throughout his career, he was a member of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, serving as President of District Six.  He was an active member of the St. Angela Church, serving on many boards and committees, and several charitable organizations throughout the county.  He and his wife, Patti, are the parents of two sons, and have three grandsons.  They reside in Chesterfield Township, and are members of St. Mary Queen of Creation Church in New Baltimore. 

Duane R. Gaedcke, Licensed Funeral Director, CCO

Duane R. Gaedcke joined Gendernalik Funeral Home in 2010 and has been a licensed funeral director since 2015.

Duane graduated from Anchor Bay High School in 2010. He then went on to attend Macomb Community College and graduated from Wayne State University’s Department of Mortuary Science in 2015. Duane is a current and lifelong resident of New Baltimore where he resides with his wife Cassie. He is a member of St. Mary Queen of Creation Catholic Church and The Knights of Columbus Anchor Bay Council No. 5981.In his spare time he enjoys spending time with family and golfing.

Dave Druzynski, Funeral Assistant/Hearse Driver

Matt Faunce, Greeter

Tracy Willard, Administrative Assistant

Tracy Willard joined Gendernalik Funeral Home in October of 2014.

Tracy is a lifelong resident of New Baltimore and member of Knox Presbyterian Church in Harrison Township. She is married to her husband Norman and they have two daughters, Ashlyn and Amber. When Tracy is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, boating, paddle boarding and riding her bike.

David Loersch, Funeral Assistant

Christine Wnuk, Funeral Assistant