Gregory Martin Witkowski, 87, of Michigan City, Ind., passed away peacefully Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, at 5 p.m. at Franciscan Health, Michigan City.
He was born in Chicago, Ill., on March 30, 1934. After graduating from high school, Gregory attended Purdue University for a year and earned a Bachelor of Science (1954) in Industrial Engineering from the Chicago Industrial Engineering College of Chicago and worked for Sunbeam. Drafted into the United States Army in late 1954, he earned his Parachute Badge and Good Conduct Medal and was an expert in rifle and carbine with an honorable discharge. Gregory continued his service in the Naval Reserves as a Seabee and retired from the Reserves as an E6 Steelworker First Class.
Gregory earned a Bachelor of Science in Education (1961) and a Master of Arts (1964) from Ball State University and taught science at Elston Junior High School in Michigan City before embarking upon an engineering career. He taught adjunct for several semesters in retirement for the Chemistry Department at Purdue North Central.
Job opportunities and trainings took Gregory and his family to Muncie, Ind., Conroe, Tex., Magnolia, Ark., and full circle, returning to Michigan City upon retirement.
Gregory was active in the Knights of Columbus, assisting in establishing the chapter at St. Mary of the Lake Church in New Buffalo, Mich., and serving as Grand Knight of St. Mary of the Lake Council 14366. His community service included board member of the Social & Learning Institute in Michigan City and Sharing Meadows, Rolling Prairie, Ind., serving in the Civil Defense in the 1960s, and serving as a past president of the Zoological Society.
His hobbies and passions included reading, particularly about history; keeping up with computers; traveling to see and spend time with his children; and keeping up with his extended family.
On June 11, 1960, in Winamac, Ind., he married Patricia (Robison) Witkowski. This year they celebrated 61 years of marriage.
Gregory is survived by his wife; one sister, Andrea Hasse of Denton, Tex.; six of his seven children, Colette M. (Robert Jonas) Witkowski of Springfield, Mo., Tanya M. (Richard) Tallerine of Spring, Tex., Xavier G. (Icela) Witkowski of Copperas Cove, Tex., Ambrose G. (Karen) Witkowski of Spring, Zachary V. (Rachel) Witkowski of San Antonio, Tex., and Bianca P. (Rachael Dyda) Witkowski of North Bend, Wash.; grandchildren, Samantha, Garrett, Ashley, Dylan, Grace, Tyler, McKenzie, Regan, Madison, Taylor, Adam, Elise, Ziva, and Oliver; and great-grandchildren, Josiah, Diana, Kinsley, Savannah, Joseph, and Benjamin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vencel and Pauline (Zelinski) Witkowski; one sister, Adrien Shelton; and one daughter, Natasha A. Witkowski.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23, at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, Michigan City, with Rev. David Kime officiating. Visitation and viewing will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, at Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, La Porte, and Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Legacy Center at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. A rosary service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with Deacon Michael Green officiating. Burial will take place at Swan Lake Memorial Gardens, Michigan City, following the service Monday.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Sharing Meadows, P.O. Box 400, Rolling Prairie, Ind. 46371; and/or Social & Learning Institute, 201 E. Garfield St., Michigan City, Ind. 46360, in memory of Gregory Martin Witkowski.
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