Harold J. Okonski

Harold J. Okonski, 96, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. Graveside Services for family & close friends will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph with Pastor Arnie Swanson officiating. Graveside Military Rites will be conducted by the North Berrien County Military Detail. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be announced and held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Lory's Place. Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, St. Joseph is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to sign Harold's Memory book online may do so starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Okonski was born March 11, 1914 in Detroit, Michigan to Martin & Agnes (Gafke) Okonski. On October 22, 1943, he married the former Ellen Junkkari in Detroit. They celebrated one month shy of 60 years of marriage before Ellen's passing in September of 2002. Harold proudly served his country during WWII as a cook and baker for the officers at Camp Clayborne, Louisiana. He was employed as a tool & die maker in the Detroit area before retiring. Harold was a member of the Troy Seventh-day Adventist Church in Troy, Michigan, where he served as an elder. In 1993 Harold & Ellen moved from Berkley, Michigan to St. Joseph. Here they joined the Fairplain Seventh-day Adventist Church. Harold was a Devoted Christian & Family man. He cherished the time spent with his wife, children & grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Harold is survived by two children-Craig (Cherie) Okonski of St. Joseph, Marsha Murphy of Shelby Township, MI; four grandchildren-Michael (April) Murphy, Helena Murphy, Daniel & Ryan Okonski; one great-granddaughter-Emma Murphy; his sister-Irene Zyskowski of Carlsbad, CA; and several nieces & nephews. In addition to his wife, Harold was preceded in death by three brothers.