Ralph H. Witkowski

Ralph H. Witkowski, 82, of Stevensville, passed away on Sunday, February 08, 2009 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI with Rev. Dr. Christopher Noffke of Zion United Church of Christ of Baroda officiating. Burial will take place at Hickory Bluff Cemetery, Stevensville with a luncheon at the funeral home to follow. Friends may visit with the family prior to the service from 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. on Thursday, February 12th at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Berrien County Cancer Service or Zion United Church of Christ of Baroda. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ralph was born on March 31, 1926 in Berrien Springs, MI to Rudolph and Elsa (Ehlert) Witkowski-Burkett. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School after serving his country in the U.S. Navy as a motor machinist mate on an LST during World War II. Mr. Witkowski was a mail carrier in Benton Harbor for 35 years. He married his wife, Wanda on July 12, 1947 in St. Joseph, MI. Together, they raised 2 sons, Gary and Todd and a daughter, Gloria. Ralph was a member of Zion United Church of Christ in Baroda. Ralph was an avid bowler but most of all, he loved his family dearly. Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Wanda; his sons, Gary (Linda) Witkowski of Baroda and Todd (Suzie) Witkowski of Zeeland; sisters, Bernice Schinske of Eau Claire, MI and Patricia (Paul) Bury-Shannon of Seattle, WA; four grand-children, Jill (Kevin) Kopec of Oxford, MI, Gary Witkowski Jr., of Grand Rapids, MI, Jenna and Ryan Witkowski of Zeeland, MI; two great grand-children, Derek and Sarah Kopec and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Gloria on February 11, 2006; three siblings, Donald Witkowski, Lucile Anglin and Margaret Weckler-Plumley.