John Owaski

John Owaski, 92 years old, returned to the Lord December 31, 2014. He had been in and out of hospitals since November but was able to spend his last Christmas week at home in the Sault with his family. Mr. Owaski was born May 15, 1922, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He lived most of his life in the Algonquin area of the Sault. He was the 7th of eight children born to Polish immigrants Stanislaus and Mary (Banach) Orchowski. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and four sisters . Surviving are his wife, Leona, daughter, Gloria Owaski, and son, Glenn Owaski (Judy), five grandchildren: Nicole Pavlat (Kevin), Stacey Bullman (Dave), Jessica Owaski (Andy), Leanne Owaski, and Shawn Owaski (Robyn), and 10 great grandchildren: Alyssa Pavlat, Dustin Bullman, Cameron Pavlat, Mackenzie Aikens, Kayla Bullman, Kylee Pavlat, Kayden Owaski, Andrew Aikens, Riley Owaski, and Breigh Aikens, and an entire family of loving nieces and nephews. Surviving also are his Texas inlaws: Arnold Johnson, Carol Galow, Mason and Edith Galow, and Ruth and Lewis Stephenson. Also to be recognized is Mr Owaski's longtime friend and hunting partner Mr. Bob Carlson of Lone Acre Hunting Camp. Mr. Owaski was a gifted carpenter and builder by trade. He referred to himself as the "pusher" on a job. Mr. Owaski started his working career early in life. When he was 14 he spent the summer helping to dig out the basement of the old Nativity Church for $18 a week. That same year he went to live with a family in Stalwart that had a farm and grew potatoes. He started working at the Tannery when he was 17; he buffed leather - 6 hour 40 minute shifts with a 20 minute lunch break. He spent a year in Ironwood, Michigan, learning sheet metal work under the National Youth Administration. He hitchhiked home once during that year. Mr. Owaski enlisted in the service when WWII broke out and served in the U.S. Army from November 1942 to November 1946. He reenlisted in the Michigan reserve from 1946 -1949. He served stateside during the war and was a Sergeant in the Military Police Battalion. One of his main responsibilities during his military service was to accompany the body of a fallen serviceman home and provide an honored military funeral. Mr. Owaski met his wife, Leona, while stationed in San Antonio, Texas. They were married January 15, 1947. After retirement, they spent the winter months with their Texas family and Up North after the snow melted. Mr. Owaski loved hunting and fishing and life in all its simplicity. He liked to refer to himself as "Johnnie O." Mr. Owaski had the opportunity to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in Sept. 2013. He truly was part of the Greatest Generation. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 8:00 PM on Monday, January 5, 2015 at C.S. Mulder Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeff Grundmeier officiating. Friends may call at the church from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Burial will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Hospice of the EUP.

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John Owaski

May 15, 1922 - December 31, 2014