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309 W. Parkdale Avenue
Manistee, MI 49660
Phone: (231) 723-1117
Fax: (231) 723-1029
Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban Johnny Urban
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Obituary for Johnny B. Urban

John “Johnny” B. Urban and Maisie J. Urban

An inseparable team for 60 years, Johnny and Maisie have left this life the same way they lived it - - together.

John “Johnny” B. Urban, age 85 of Custer passed away on Sunday October 14, 2012 at home. Maisie J. Urban, age 80 of Custer passed away to join her beloved husband on Wednesday, October 17, 2012.
Johnny was born on November 10, 1926 in Irons, Michigan, son of the late Egnis and Eva (Schultz) Urban. He attended Norman Dixon High School where he completed 10th Grade.

Maisie was born on January 5, 1932 in Eden Township, Michigan, Daughter of the late David and Pheobe (Whitaker) Beadle. She attended Custer High School where, in addition to her school work, she played basketball and was a Varsity cheerleader for four years, Maisie graduated high school with the class of 1949.

Johnny and Maisie were married on January 7, 1953 in Custer, MI. They are survived by their son James (Jacqueline) Urban of Williamston, MI; grandchildren Caitlin and Nicholas; Johnny’s brother Walter (Evelyn) Urban of Fountain, MI; Maisie’s sister Inez; their dear friend, business colleague, and caregiver in their final years Lolly (Grant) Griswold of Custer, MI; and, numerous nieces and nephews.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Joe, Jim, Stanley and Tony; and, sisters Anna and Adelle.

Maisie was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Gale, David, Frank, Gene and Don; and, sisters Doris, June and Leona.

In 1948, Johnny and his twin brother Tony built a roller rink known as the Northern Gardens in Custer. The Snack Bar restaurant was added soon after. Within a few years, Tony sold his interest in the business to Johnny. One night after roller skating had closed, Johnny and a few customers were in the restaurant when one of the customers asked why not have a dance in the roller rink after skating. The juke box was rolled into the rink from the restaurant and the era of teen dances in Custer began.

When Johnny and Maisie married in 1953 a partnership to last the ages was formed and the unstoppable team of Johnny and Maisie built what became a northern Michigan institution known throughout Michigan simply as Johnny’s. Johnny and Maisie both came from very humble beginnings and were both raised to believe in one fundamental principal, “if you wanted something, you had to work hard for it”. They applied that work ethic to every goal they set for themselves for over 50 years. From the beginning, Johnny occupied the spotlight while Maisie provided the anchor, unwavering support and insights which perfectly complemented Johnny’s showmanship drive.

The teen dances were a smash hit and Johnny as the bandstand DJ is the role for which Johnny became most famous. Soon, hundreds of teenagers would appear every Saturday to dance the night away at Johnny’s Bandstand. For over 50 years, successive generations of northern Michigan teenagers and their families (many of whom met their spouses there and still say that it all started at Johnny’s) enjoyed the entertainment and sense of belonging found at Johnny’s.

As the years progressed, Johnny and Maisie continued to grow the business and were always looking for new ways to provide entertainment options for their patrons. Some of the ideas were hits and some were total flops, but they never quit. Like two kids standing at the deep end of the pool pondering the next crazy idea, they put it all on the line, held hands and jumped in.

When the local Custer tavern was set to close with the Owner’s retirement, Johnny and Maisie acquired the liquor license and embarked on their next adventure of adding the Sports bar and restaurant. The restaurant end of the business was Maisie’s stage and she brought her personal touch to the restaurant operation just like Johnny brought his to the music side of the business. Having been trained at the Gibb’s restaurant, Maisie trained all of the waitresses to the same standard and became the second mom to all of them in the process. After working the Big Room until the wee hours of the morning on Saturday night, she would still show up Sunday morning with a load of her famous cream pies for the Sunday crowd to enjoy. With the liquor license, they were able to offer large night club style entertainment in the “Big Room” where Johnny combined his DJ talents with live bands for many years. Over the years, they brought nationally known stars into the Big Room and offered Vegas style shows typically found only in much larger cities. However, even the “Big Stars” brought in for special shows, couldn’t compete with Deer Season at Johnny’s, which is the stuff of legends. The annual pilgrimage to Johnny’s on opening weekend became a tradition for people throughout Michigan and over the years resembled a huge and always loud family reunion.

With the Big Room off and running as a night club, it was time for another adventure and the new roller skating rink was built just north of the original building where roller skating and the teen dances continued. Johnny’s grew to offer entertainment for all ages. On any given weekend, three generations of the same family could be found at Johnny’s at the same time enjoying the restaurant, the roller rink, the teen dance and the Big Room night club and the sports bar.

From the beginning, Johnny and Maisie were fiercely committed to the people who blessed them with their patronage and to their employees. To Johnny and Maisie, it was always about “their people”, their customers, and their community. When a customer walked in the door, he or she knew they were welcome and that to Johnny and Maisie, they were somebody, not just another face or ring of the cash register. If someone had trouble or needed a little help, they knew they could always come to Johnny or Maisie. Teens for many decades saw role models they could respect and know that they would get respect in return. While they had only one son, their family - - - the Johnny’s family - - - numbers in the thousands and to the day they died, it was the legacy of their Johnny’s family they treasured the most.

Johnny was just as committed to the Village of Custer as he was to Johnny’s and took action on that commitment. He ran for and was elected Village President and served as Village President for over 40 years. During his time as Village President, Johnny spearheaded major infrastructure projects aimed at making Custer a better place to live. Starting with a belief that all of the Village streets should be paved, he and his fellow council members accomplished that goal. When the Village’s antiquated sewer system deteriorated, he spearheaded installation of a new sewer system and that goal was accomplished along with the construction of the Village’s sewage treatment lagoons facility. When the Village had no Village hall or adequate snow plowing operation, he and his fellow council members pursued construction of a new Village hall and garage and the purchase of snow plowing equipment. That goal was accomplished. For his last project, he envisioned sidewalks along all Village streets. At the time of his death, one full mile of new sidewalks had been completed but the vision needs to be completed.

Johnny was also appointed the local Board of Director of First of America bank and served as a Director for many years. His pragmatic, common sense approach to business was a valued contribution to the Board.
Johnny and Maisie’s funeral mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated at 11:00AM on October 25, 2012 at St. Simon Catholic Church in Ludington with Father Anton Tran Celebrant. The family will receive friends for visitation on October 24, 2012 from 2:00PM to 4:00PM and 6:00PM until 9:00PM at Oak Grove Funeral Home. Burial (with Military honors for Johnny) will follow the funeral mass at St. Mary’s Riverside Cemetery in Custer.

A funeral luncheon will be held where it all began and where the family believes it is best finished, in the Big Room at Johnny’s immediately following the cemetery service.

Memorial contributions in memory of Johnny and Maisie may be directed to either Harbor Hospice or the Village of Custer Sidewalk Fund. Please visit Johnny and Maisie’s personal book of memories page to share memories, upload photos and read their life story at http://www.oakgrovefh.com/.

The family has entrusted funeral arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Johnny B. Urban, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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