John Makielski

June 26, 1924 – Aug. 15, 2004 John Makielski was a sailor, a historian, an educator, a naturalist, a family patriarch, a world traveler and a quiet man.He died in the early morning of Sunday, August 15, after a brief illness.John Makielski, born June 26, 1924, was the son of Joseph and Theodore Makielski, founders of the Makielski Art Shop.He attended Saint Hedwig’s Grade School, Saint Joseph’s Parish Grade School, and South Bend Central High School. In 1943, John was class president, class valedictorian, and Indiana State Diving Champion. He served his country in the U.S.Navy in World War II.At Illinois Institute of Technology, he was president of the Illinois Tech Student Association, swim team captain, and a Tau Beta Pi Honorary Engineering Society member.In 1947, he received two bachelor degrees in science:mechanical engineering and industrial engineering.In 1950, he received a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Chicago.

From 1951 to 1986, he worked for the Bendix Corporation (now Honeywell) and retired as a Manger of Human Resources.John taught classes in hydraulics at IVY Tech. He volunteered time to help the unemployed through the National Alliance of Businessmen and the Job Training Programs (JTPA).He was recognized by then Senator Dan Quayle for his Outstanding Service in 1987. John competitively raced sailboats throughout his life. He served as the commodore of the Eagle Lake Sailing Club, in Edwardsburg Mich. and the National One-Design Racing Association and was NODRA World Champion in 1970 and 1985.His last two races were on this July 4, against a fleet of seventeen sailors where he led the fleet with two first place finishes . He left us in his home upon the shores of his beloved Eagle Lake, surrounded by family.

John was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Therese Makielski in 1970, and is survived by six children and fourteen grandchildren:son Martin Makielski (Mary Jo Hittle) of Hoffman Estates, Ill., grandchildren, Margaret, Peter, and Andrew;daughter Joan (Paul Sniadecki) of Edwardsburg, Mich., grandchildren, Nathan, John Paul, Terra, and Thomas; son Mark Makielski (Marta Pinnyei) of Edwardsburg; granddaughters Laura and Annie;son Paul Makielski (Christine Armstrong) of Whittier Calif.;grandsons, John and Jacob;daughter Patricia Makielski of Naperville Ill., grandson Chris May;daughter Sara Makielski of Austin, Texas;and grandchildren, Monica and Max Marion.

John was the member of the Little Flower Parish, South Bend, Ind., and Our Lady of the Lake, Edwardsburg. Visitation will be at McGann Funeral Home in South Bend on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be at Our Lady of the Lake Church Edwardsburg, on Tuesday August 17, at 11 a.m. Michigan time, 10 a.m. Indiana time. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice At Home of Southwest Michigan or Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.

Thank you, Dad, for teaching us by example to not speak poorly of our fellow man and to see value in every per- son.Now we strive to follow you

Source: Newspapers.com

05/27/2024 EJS