Joseph Zachary Tekieli, age 33, of Stockbridge, Michigan, passed away on September 8, 2026. Joey was born on February 10, 1993, in Garden City to Robin (Sparkman) Tekieli and the late Joseph Stanley Tekieli. Although he was born in Garden City, Joseph had lived in Stockbridge since age five.
Joey was known for his kindness, generosity, and infectious smile that lit up every room he entered. He was a graduate of Michigan State University. He was a hard worker who loved his career, working in laboratories, testing soil and water samples to help keep people safe. Above all, he was a devoted son and family member who took pride in caring for his mother and being there for those he loved.
Joey loved tabletop gaming, including Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, and Warhammer. He was an avid collector and painter of gaming miniature figures. It was a common sight in his home to see him and all his friends gathered around the kitchen table, with dice, miniatures, and cards scattered in all directions, alongside piles of soda cans and snacks. He loved console video games as well as retro gaming on a high-powered gaming PC he built himself.
He was extremely passionate about music. He was a dedicated vinyl collector who enjoyed going to concerts with friends and family. He deeply loved his companion cats, Missy and Nilla, and his recent kittens, Cara and Winnie. He looked forward to regular camping trips with his friends. He sincerely appreciated the peace, quiet, and privacy of life in Stockbridge. Some of Joey’s most meaningful moments were the all-night conversations he shared with his father about the state of the world and how it could be made better.
Joey is survived by his mother, Robin Tekieli; his brothers, Brian Klovski and Billy Lebring (Melissa); his niece, Beatrix Pemberton Klovski; his uncles, Michael Tekieli and Danny Sparkman (Debra); his aunt, Linda Sparkman; his great-uncle, Ed Tekieli (Del); and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Stanley Tekieli.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joseph’s memory to NAMI Lansing to support mental health services: https://secure.namilansing.org/forms/donate.
Arrangements are being handled by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, MI.
