Ben J. Mackowiak
May 7, 1925 - August 26, 2021
On August 26, 2021, Ben J. Mackowiak entered into eternal rest. He was born May 7, 1925 to Walter and Julia (Walong) Mackowiak. Ben had two brothers, Hank (Theresa) and Eddie, and a sister Mary Ann (Paul) Richwalski. Growing up during the great depression, he started working at a young age, peddling newspapers, then moved on to bringing coal for the ovens at Liberty Bakery.
He graduated from Elston High School in 1943, That same year he joined the Air Force and served in WW II as a radio operator/gunner on a B-24 bomber. While stationed in England he flew 17 missions over Germany. He stated that his best birthday present ever was when the German armed forces surrendered in the west on May 7, 1945. After the war, he went to Oregon and worked on the Southern Pacific Railroad. He came home to Indiana for a vacation and decided to stay, meeting his wife Georgia (Meyer) at the Oasis Ballroom. They married on February 14, 1953 dancing throughout their life together for close to 64 years. They had three daughters, Sue (Andy) Ward, Janice, and Kim (Ed) Downey. Ben is survived by his daughter Kim (Ed), son-in-law, Andy (Pam) Ward and grandchildren, Bryan Ward, Patrick (Michelle) Ward, Jackie (Eric) Goodwin and Alik Downey; Also surviving are great-grandchildren Keith, Michael and Catherine Ward, Halle, Chloe and Scout Goodwin and Oaklyn Downey along with many nieces and nephews.
He was a machinist at Joy Mfg for over 30 years taking early retirement when the company moved out of state. Ben and Georgia enjoyed traveling, vacationing in most of the 50 states, cruised the Caribbean, toured Mexico and visited his parents homeland, Poland along with the Vatican City in Rome. When he wasn't working or traveling, he could be found on the golf course, fishing, bowling, at the horse races or landscaping his yard. He was a member of the St. Joseph Young Men's Society, American Legion Skwiat Post 451 where he served as an honor guard member for over 20 years. He also was a member of the VFW Post 2536.
Mass of Christian burial will be conducted Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 11:00 AM in Queen of all Saints Catholic Church, 606 So. Woodland Ave., Michigan City, Indiana with Rev. David Kime officiating with burial to follow in Greenwood Cemetery with full military honors to be offered. Visitation hours will be Wednesday from 10:00 AM till 11:00 AM in the Queen of all Saints Legacy Center. Arrangements are being handled by the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, Indiana.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Queen of all Saints Catholic School, 1715 E. Barker Ave., Michigan City, IN 46360
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