JOHN S. KOWALSKI

April 14, 1924 - July 21, 2008
John S. Kowalski, 84, of Mishawaka, Indiana, passed away on Monday, July 21, 2008, at his home in Mishawaka after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Dad was born on April 24, 1924, in South Bend to John A. and Pearl (Wlodarek) Kowalski.

He graduated in 1943 from the old South Bend Central High School, where he earned a Varsity letter in Baseball.

Dad proudly served his country in World War II from 1943-1945 as a Technician 5th, Counter-Battery officer in the 4th Corps Artillery Headquarters, and earned the Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement during the Italian Campaign. After returning home, Dad worked at the Studebaker plant in South Bend for 13 years until it's closing. Dad then served as a Branch Manager for Farm Crest Bakeries, later as a Supervisor for Ward Baking Company, and finished out his working years at AM General Corp at the Chippewa plant until he retired in 1988.

On June 11th, 1955, Dad took the lovely Veta S. Skelton as his bride. Mom survives, as do all of Dad's children, Janice Imbro of North Liberty, Cindi Sanchez of South Bend, John M (Donna) Kowalski of Culver, Greg (Cynthia) Kowalski of South Bend, Kevin (Nancy) Kowalski of South Bend, and Kari (Harold) Hough of North Liberty. Also surviving are grandchildren, Jason (Wendy), Jaymi, and Jeremy Montana, Juliana and Paul Sanchez, Katie, Adam, Abby, and Anna Kowalski, and Holly and Hanna Hough; along with great-grandchildren, Morgan, Jesse, Jordan, Mariah, Christian, Jasmine, Tristen, Ja'Liya, and many other close and extended family members.

Dad's sisters, Marie Przybysz, Violet Kowalski, Lucille Collins and Bernadine Jasiewicz; and a brother, Harold Koval, all preceded him in death.

Dad was a former member of Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church and parish where he served on the Home and School Association, regaled attendees to the parish Dinner/Dance in various skits, including the infamous 'Tutu' sketch, and helped to originate the Summer Fun Fair. Dad and Mom are new members of St. Anthony's parish where they were recently re-married in the church, something they had worked on for many years, and for which they wish to extend many thanks to Fr. Derrick Sneyd for helping them to accomplish.

Dad was an avid sports enthusiast and an accomplished bowler. He bowled in leagues and tournaments in many of the local houses over the years, including the old Bowl-Mor, Pastime Lanes, Beacon Bowl, PNA Lodge, and the original Parkway Lanes, where some of his old bowling buddies might still remember Dad as 'Cotton'. Dad was also very fond of the gang down at the old St. Anthony's Club Lanes, where the highly competitive tournaments there drew some of the toughest fields in the area. Dad was a past President of the South Bend Bowling Association, was also Secretary of the PNA Monday Night league for many years, and he was elected to the SBBA Hall of Fame in 2000, an honor he truly cherished. He also participated in the ABC National Tournament for 24 years, but realized his greatest accomplishments while coaching Junior Bowlers down at St. A's, or while helping his kids and grandkids develop their athletic talents, and he was always coming out to ball fields and gyms to watch their games.

Dad was also an avid golfer, Cubs, Bears, and ND fan, and was the original champion of the family-based fantasy football league! He and Mom enjoyed their many Vegas trips with Aunt Nornie and Uncle George, and more recently, their jaunts up to Four Winds in New Buffalo. Dad also recalled fondly the many fishing trips to Minnesota with Uncle Carl and Aunt Sissie, and the mushroom hunting trips with Carl and Larry and the guys. His was indeed a good life and a full one, and he will be missed, see...

The family would like to invite friends to call from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 24th, at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana, where a Parish Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 25, at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, 2120 E. Jefferson Blvd, South Bend, with burial to follow in Highland Cemetery.

The family would like to offer their sincere thanks to Dr. Bilal Ansari, Dr. Michael Helms, their nurses and staff, for their warm caring and support, Hospice of St. Joseph County for their wonderful, thoughtful, and invaluable assistance during our time of need, and to Fr. Derrick Sneyd, for the care, support, guidance, and comfort he provided to Dad during his illness. Your expertise, kindness, and prayers were all so very much appreciated! The family also requests that in lieu of flowers, it would be kind of well-wishers to support these two very vital organizations that made such a difference to Dad, and to Mom; Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, Inc., or to St. Anthony Parish of South Bend.

 What Makes a Dad God took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree, The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea, The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night, The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagle's flight, The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed, The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need, Then God combined these qualities, When there was nothing more to add, He knew His masterpiece was complete, And so, He called it ... Dad ~~Author Unknown~~

Published by South Bend Tribune on Jul. 23, 2008.

02/05/2023 EJS