Gregory Martin Witkowski, 87, of Michigan City, passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. at Franciscan Health, Michigan City.
He was born in Chicago, IL on March 30, 1934 and after graduating from high school, 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), a Master of Arts (1964) from Ball State University and taught science at Elston Junior High School in Michigan City, before embarking on 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, IN, Conroe, TX, Magnolia, AR and full circle returning to Michigan City, IN, 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, MI and served 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, and serving in the Civil Defense in the 1960s and was 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, Indiana, he married Patricia (Robison) Witkowski. This year they celebrated 61 years of marriage.
Gregory is survived by his wife, Patricia A. Witkowski; one sister, Andrea Hasse of Denton, TX; six of his seven children, Colette M. (Robert Jonas) Witkowski of Springfield, Missouri, Tanya M. (Richard) Tallerine of Spring, TX, Xavier G. (Icela) Witkowski of Copperas Cove, TX, Ambrose G. (Karen) Witkowski of Spring, TX, Zachary V. (Rachel) Witkowski of San Antonio, TX and Bianca P. (Rachael Dyda) Witkowski of North Bend, WA; 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, August 23, 2021 at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, 1725 E. Barker Ave, Michigan City, with Rev. David Kime officiating. Visitation and viewing will be held from 3 to 6 p.m., Sunday, August 22, 2021 at Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, 247 W. Johnson Rd., La Porte 219-362-3100 and Monday from 10 a.m. 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, August 22, 2021 at the funeral home with Deacon Michael Green officiating. Burial will take place at Swan Lake Memorial Gardens, Michigan City, following the service on Monday.
Please send condolences to the family at www.LakeviewFHC.com.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Sharing Meadows, P.O. Box 400, Rolling Prairie, Indiana 46371 and/or Social & Learning Institute, 201 E. Garfield St., Michigan City, Indiana 46360 in memory of Gregory Martin Witkowski.
