Peter Twarucsek

Peter P. Twarucsek, 87, of Benton Harbor, went to meet his Lord & Savior, Tuesday, February 28, 2006, at Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday at Peace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph with Rev. Paul Koehneke and Rev. Franz Brandenburg officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Friends may call from 5-8 P.M. Thursday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Peace Lutheran Church. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Peter was born June 29, 1918 in Detroit to Peter & Susan (Geml) Twarucsek. In his early years, Peter worked in the family business, a butcher shop and grocery store in Detroit which was operated by his father. On November 27, 1947, he married the former Ruth Fester in Benton Harbor. Peter was employed by Whirlpool Corporation as groundskeeper for 24 1/2 years, retiring in 1974. Following retirement, he worked privately for the Upton family for 11 years. Peter was an active founding member of Peace Lutheran Church in St. Joseph. He loved music. Peter was a well known area musician, playing the organ or accordion for many weddings or other special occasions. He was a member of both the Detroit Local #5 Musicians Union and the American Federation of Musicians Local #232. He was a volunteer at Lakeland Hospital for many years. Peter was especially fond of his four grandsons. He knew no strangers, he always had a kind word or a smile for everyone. In his spare time, he enjoyed tending to his yard, which never had a blade of grass out of place. Peter is survived by his wife Ruth; two daughters-Betty McKee of St. Joseph, Sandra (Marty) Mason of Stevensville; four grandsons-Joseph & Justin Koehneke, and Anthony & Christopher Mason; and his canine companion Betsy. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Catherine Geml in 1977.