Warren Kolb, age 98, passed away, Tuesday,  October 22, 2024 at Green Acres in Manistee.  He was a devoted son to parents James and Bertha Kolb and caring brother to Elwood Kolb, Nina Kolb, Edna (Ray) Kessler and Norma (Howard) Vaas).  He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, wife Cela, grandson Luke Kotecki, son-in-law Paul Kotecki and friend Carol Crandall.

He grew up in Stronach and graduated from Manistee High School.  He spent much of his time playing baseball with his brother El and friend Daniel Froncek and was a team member/catcher with the St. Joseph Saints.  As a skilled baseball player, he was called by the St. Louis Cardinals to try out for the league.  He was not selected but proud to have been given the opportunity.

In 1944, he was drafted into the army, serving in the Pacific Theater in WWII and later in Korea.  He met and married Cela Adams while stationed in Traverse City as an army recruiter.    Upon discharge from the service, they returned to Stronach and raised four daughters — Rhonda (Richard) Young, Karen Kolb, Sheila Kotecki and Terri (Matt) Rathburn, who survive him.  In addition to his daughters, he is survived by grandchildren Ben (Joann) Snay, Jeremy (Candy) Snay, Melissa Ayotte (Jason Preston), Ryan (Kara) Young, Matt (Andrea) Young and Lee Rathburn, sixteen great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews Howard (Stacey) Vaas, Mark (Stephanie) Vaas, Kelly Wilson, James Kessler, and Wallace Kessler.

Warren worked for C&O Railroad for forty years.  He loved spending time with his family, a good cup of coffee, shortcake and ice cream, car and truck shopping, a dip in the river in his younger days, Tigers baseball, vegetable gardening, telling a good story (or a bad one), reminiscing and raising and training pigeons for show and race.  He was very successful in this hobby, established his own loft and pigeon club and won many trophies and ribbons.  A good day was watching his birds fly in the field across from his house, hanging with his daughters, taking a ride and "shank of the evening" visits with family at the Stronach house.

He was kind, generous, and giving.  Cared more about other people's feelings than his own.  He was easy to like as a friend and easier to love as a dad and grampa.

Services will be held Friday, November 1, 2024 at Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Alto Goodspeed officiating.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until the time of service.  A lunch will be held after the service at Filer Township Recreational Center.

Burial will take place at 4:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery in Manistee where the members of the Manistee County United Veterans Council Ritual Squad will conduct military honors.

Warrens family wishes to thank Green Acres for their loving care and Richard Froncek and Paul Smogoleski for their friendship and help these last years.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Homeward Bound, the local VA, Stronach Fire Department or local charity of choice.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.