Donald Witkowski

St. Joseph – Donald Harry Witkowski was born in Royalton Township to Rudoph and Elsa Witkowski, after his father died at age 7, the family moved to Benton Harbor, where Don went to high school until the 10th grade when he left to join the United States Navy. Initially he was stationed in Iceland where they helped the British before the United States entered the war. For his work in helping the British he was commissioned by the British Royal Navy. After the United States entered World War II, he was transferred to the Pacific Fleet, where he earned 9 battle stars. Upon serving his nation during WWII he came back home to Benton Harbor where he began working for the Benton Harbor Post Office where he worked until he retired in 1986. In January 1950 he married his first wife of 42 years Gladys Unruh. In December of 1950 their first son Mark was born. During Don’s life he enjoyed spending time with his family, from coaching his son’s sports teams, to visiting relatives, and most of all helping them in their time of need. In 1986 Don went back to school to earn his GED at the age of 62, the same year his youngest son Bret graduated from high school. After retirement Don enjoyed helping at his church, Grace Lutheran, from mowing, to opening the gym for the public, helping on blood drives, serving on the endowment committee, and ushering until the time of his death. After the death of Gladys in 1992 Don was blessed to meet and to marry Raina Sperbeck in 1998. Surviving Don is his wife, Raina; 2 sons and daughters-in-law – Mark and Joetta Witkowski of Little Rock, Arkansas and Bret and Amie Witkowski of St. Joseph; 3 step-sons – Jack Sperbeck , Jerrold Sperbeck , and James Sperbeck; 7 grandchildren – Peter, Christina, James, Andrew, Elizabeth, Emily and 1st Lt. Thomas Witkowski; 2 sisters – Bernice Schniske and Patricia Bury; 1 brother – Ralph Witkowski. In addition to his first wife, Gladys, he was also preceded in death by his parents and two sisters. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00AM Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran, 404 East Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph with Rev. Carl Pagel officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Visitation will be held on Tuesday between 5:00 – 7: 00 PM at Kerley, Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Friends wishing to share a memory or send their condolences online may do so in the guestbook at www.starks-menchinger.com