Donald E. Owca

Donald E. Owca, 71, of Coloma died Saturday, May 20, 2006, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI. Friends may call from 6:00 to 8:00p.m., Tuesday, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00a.m., Wednesday, at the Funeral Home, officiating will be Dr. Randy Doyle. Following the service, burial will be at Riverview Cemetery where military rites will be conducted. Memorials may be made to Salvation Army or the Heart Association. Friends wishing to send a message of condolence may do so in the guestbook online at www.starks-menchinger.com Don was born on September 5, 1934 in Benton Harbor, MI, to Walter & Bessie (Saltsgiver) Owca. He served his country in the United States Army. After returning from the service in 1963, he worked and purchased his father’s business, the Temple Bowling Alley in St. Joseph, which he sold in 1967. He married Marla Miller on July 11, 1969, in St. Joseph MI. Don took early retirement from Gast Manufacturing in 1986, as a systems Analyst. Don was an entrepreneur, avid golfer, loved, to travel and his favorite place was Hawaii. He was a member of local bowling hall of fame and the civil Air Patrol, serving as lieutenant. He is survived by his wife Marla; four daughters, Pamela (Randall) Herbst of Hamilton OH, Donna (Michael) Manchester of Coralville IA, Marilyn Bowie of St. Joseph, Kelly (Anthony) Gagliardo of Coloma; three sons Gary Owca of Portland OR, David Modelewski of Coloma , MI; Mike (Julia) Modelewski of Watervliet; 12 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren ; and a sister Lucille Cassidy of St. Joseph. He is preceded in death by his parents and a son, Stan Modelewski