Michael Kurek

Michael Kurek, 95, of St. Joseph, and a former 50 years resident of Dearborn, Michigan, passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, October 1, 2006 at Lakeland Continuing Care Center in St. Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 A.M. Monday at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 3903 Lake St., Bridgman, Michigan, with Fr. John Peter Ambrose officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Bridgman. Graveside military rites will be conducted by Coloma American Legion Post #362, VFW Post #1137 of Benton Harbor, and VFW Post #6803 of Watervliet. Friends may call from 4-7 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Felician Sisters or The Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan Hospital. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Kurek was born September 29, 1911 in Detroit, Michigan to John & Sophia (Drabicki) Kurek. On August 19, 1939, he married the former Anna Barna in Detroit. Michael was employed at Universal Carpet, Michigan Carpet, and Beckwith & Evans Carpets in the Detroit area for 29 years. He then worked at Scans in Plymouth, Michigan from 1960-1975. He served his country in the US Army during WWII as a motor pool diesel mechanic while stationed in North Africa, Italy, and Sicily. Michael was a charter member of Divine Child Catholic Church in Dearborn and a life member of the Dearborn Chapter of the Loyal Order of the Moose. He was also a member of the West Dearborn Lions Club. Michael attended Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Bridgman when visiting family. He enjoyed lapidary work, photography, woodworking, bowling, golfing, fishing, and engine repair. He was an accomplished mechanic in his day, fixing cars that others could not. Michael had a passion for knowledge and learning. Mr. Kurek is survived by two sons-Gregg Kurek (George Brown) of Douglas, MI and Gary (Diane) Kurek of Bridgman and two grandchildren-Jason (Kim) Kurek of Singapore, and Dr. Erin Kurek-Blucher (Jorden Blucher) of Salt Lake City, Utah. Michael was preceded in death by his wife Anna Kurek on October 23, 2003, and his sister Angeline Kurek.