Geraldine J. Kowalkowski
Thursday, December 23rd, 2010
Mrs. Kowalkowski passed away Thursday, December 23, 2010 at the Bay Medical Care Facility, age 86 years. She was born on May 24, 1924 to the late Walter and Theresa (Rinz) Polom in Bay City. She married Arthur Kowalkowski at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church on February 20, 1950 and he survives her. Geraldine was a graduate of Central High School and was a member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, the Rosary/Altar Society Group #1, Felician Sisters Auxiliary, D.A.V. Auxiliary and the League of Catholic Women and Men.
Surviving, beside her husband Arthur, are her daughters Ardith (Kenneth) Reszke, Marsha (George) Thomas and Gretchen (Mark) Smith along with grand children Stephanie, Josh and Zachary Reske, Jeremy, Derrek and Amanda Thomas and step grand children Melissa and Chad Thomas, 4 great grand children and 5 step great grand children. Geraldine is also survived by her sister Patricia (Edward) LaVictor and her sister-in-law Patricia Wenglikowski.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, December 27, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. from St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Fr. Rick Filary will celebrate Mass followed by private entombment at St. Patrick’s Mausoleum. Friends may call at the Ambrose Funeral Home on Sunday from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. and at the church Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Members of the Rosary/Altar Society, Felician Sisters Auxiliary will pray the Rosary Sunday at 2:00 p.m. followed by the parish Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Those wishing an expression of sympathy are asked to consider St. Stanislaus Campus Development Fund or the ARC of Bay County.

John passed away peacefully Sunday, December 19, 2010 at his home, age 61. He was born May 4, 1949 in Bay City to the late Loretta (Wachowiak) Buczek. John was predeceased by his loving step-father “Pa”, Joseph Stepek and his father, Frank Buczek. He married Michele L. Phelps in St. Joseph Catholic Church on June 21, 1969 and she survives him. John served his country in the US Army Reserves for eight years. He was a machine assembler at Newcor Inc., for over 20 years and was currently in the skilled trade machine repair department at Delphi/Nexteer Automotive. John was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and enjoyed golf with his son, daughter and granddaughter. He also enjoyed bowling and vacations with his wife. John especially loved spending time with his family. He was a special family man and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Darren passed away peacefully Friday, December 17, 2010 at his home, age 42. The son of Leonard “Red” and Joyce (Engelhardt) Graczyk, he was born December 21, 1967 in Bay City. He graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1986 and then went on to Western Michigan University where he received his Electrical Engineering Bachelors Degree in Science in 1994. He was the Senior Engineering Manager at TRW Automotive in Livonia, MI and traveled internationally with his career. In 1997 Darren obtained a certificate of completion from Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving and in 2001 was granted a US Patent for his Electronic Brake Proportioning on Anti-Lock Brake Systems. Darren loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. He enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson and driving his BMW car. He loved traveling the world and taking special trips with his mother to Las Vegas. He enjoyed floor hockey, golf, volleyball, disc golf, and riding his motorcycle with family and friends in charity rides. Darren had a special place in his heart for his family and family events. His mom’s cooking was the best and perch dinners at the Oasis Lounge were also a favorite of his. Everyone who knew him, family, friends and co-workers will always miss him and have great memories of him.