Joseph Salemka

Salemka, Joseph "Joe" 11/7/1955 - 10/2/2021 Portage Joseph Robert Salemka passed away peacefully at home on October 2, 2021, after a short battle with cancer. He was born November 7, 1955 in South Bend, IN to Elaine and Robert Salemka (who preceded him in death). He moved to the Kalamazoo area at a young age, where he remained a resident for the next 6 decades. A lifelong learner and lover of Shakespeare and Robert Frost, Mid-Town Joe will be remembered and dearly missed by the many friends and customers he encountered every day for 33 years as owner and operator of Mid-Town Parking in downtown Kalamazoo. His wit, wisdom and ability to remember minute details from decades past were truly one of a kind. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara; they were married in August 1980 after narrowly escaping the May 1980 tornado in downtown Kalamazoo. He also leaves behind his siblings, Sue (Tom) Putt, Sandy (Bill) Olmstead and Dan (Silvia) Salemka. His daughters Melissa VanderBilt and Michelle (Osama) Salemka, two granddaughters Ashley (Brianne) and Victoria VanderBilt, and a grandbaby on the way (due February 2022) will all miss him incredibly. Per Joe's wishes, he was cremated and remembered in a small celebration by his immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be directed to Joe's end-of-life fund to assist with expenses ( https://gofund.me/5161e4fa ). Excess funds will be donated to the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Care entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Burial & Cremation Services, 411 East Centre Ave., Portage, MI 49002. Please visit Joe's personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com