John P. Kowalski

Mr. John P. Kowalski, 97 of Minden City, passed away, Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. He was born on August 1, 1916 in Minden City to the late Walter and Sophia (Kulish) Kowalski. He married Eleanor Currey on July 9, 1942 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Bad Axe. She preceded him in death on September 5, 2006. John attended the Minden City School. He worked for Packard Motor for a few years and then managed the West End Hotel of Minden City. John then became owner of Kowalski Minden City Supermarket. He was Grand Marshall for the 1997 Minden City Homecoming parade. John organized and was General Chairman of the Minden City parade from 1950-1980. He was a lifetime member of the Ruth Knights of Columbus Council #3823. He was the last living charter member of the Minden City Lions Club in which he held all offices, including past president. John and his wife sponsored and bowled on different teams in Minden City for many years. He also enjoyed hunting and gardening. John is survived by his 5 children, John Kowalski and his wife, Mo of Minden City, Dorie Knox of Rochester Hills, Kathryn Lautner and husband, Al of Minden City, Thomas Kowalski and his wife, Ginny, of Scotts, Mich., Janet Wehner and her husband, Dale of Bad Axe; 13 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; two half brothers, Robert Grifka and his wife, Nikki of Warren and Dr. Thomas Grifka, M.D. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Jeffrey Kowalski, one granddaughter, Michelle (Knox) Galecka; son-in-law, John Knox; three sisters, Isabelle Kowalski, Blanche Pawlosky and Mary Sadro; three brothers, Chester, Harold and Jerome Kowalski. Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 am Monday, October 7, 2013 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palms. Rev. Steven Gavit, pastor of St. Stephen Parish in Saginaw, will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Patrick Cemetery in Palms. Visitation will be at the Smigielski Funeral Home on Cass Ave in Minden City on Sunday from 2:00-9:00 pm and Monday from 10:00-11:00 am at St. Patrick Church only. There will be a parish vigil service Sunday at 4:00 pm and a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00 pm. Both services will be at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been requested for Masses or to the Family Discretionary Fund.