Gene Vernon Zyla

Gene Vernon Zyla, a resident of Macomb in recent years and formerly a longtime resident of Lewiston and Sterling Heights and wintered in Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on May 30, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. He was 82 years old.

Gene was born on November 3, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan, to Lawrence Freeman and Violet Edith Harriet (née Newman) Zyla. He was raised in Detroit and graduated from Chadsey High School. Following graduation, he began what would become a long and dedicated career with Ford Motor Company, where he worked for 36 years before retiring in 1996. While raising his family and advancing his career, Gene also attended Macomb Community College as he pursued opportunities for supervisory positions within Ford.

On August 3, 1962, Gene married the love of his life, Julia (née Chodyniecki). Together they built a beautiful life spanning more than six decades of marriage. They first made their home in Detroit, before settling in Sterling Heights, where they raised their family. Upon Gene’s retirement in 1996, they fulfilled their dream of moving north to Lewiston near Little Wolf Lake, a place he dearly loved and where he enjoyed many happy years.

Gene embraced life with enthusiasm and adventure. He enjoyed golfing, skiing, snowmobiling, country-western dancing, antique car shows, motorcycles, boating, and jet skiing. A devoted fan of country music, he could often be found enjoying a favorite song or sharing stories with family and friends. He especially cherished his retirement years in northern Michigan, where he found great joy in the outdoors and the peaceful beauty of lake life.

Known for his unique personality and dry sense of humor, Gene had a way of making people smile. He was dependable, generous, and always willing to lend a helping hand. Above all, he loved his family deeply and treasured the time he spent with those closest to him.

Gene is survived by his beloved wife, Julia Zyla; his children, Christine (John) Gurin, Gene Martin Zyla, Michele (Alan) Desenfants, and Gerry (Lisa) Zyla; and his grandchildren, David (Daniella) Reling, Jacqueline (Brian) Morian, Matthew (Lauren) Gurin, James Gurin, Mackenzie (fiancé Nick) Zyla, Alyssa Desenfants, Kayla (Brendan) Staunton, Alivia (fiancé Tyler) Desenfants, Zach (Ally) Zyla and his great grandchildren, Vincent, Joseph, Julia Reling and Liliana, Sophia Morian. He also leaves behind his siblings, Harry (Alana) Garbarino, Edith (Mike) Artman, and Barbara (Michael) Dempsey; and many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Gene was preceded in death by his mother, Violet Garbarino, and her husband, Harold Garbarino, who was like a father to Gene.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038.

Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 AM, on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at St. Paul of Tarsus Church, 41300 Romeo Plank Rd., Clinton Twp., MI 48038.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Gene’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.