Obituary for Duane W. Nowaczyk
Duane Walter Nowaczyk
Carrollton Twp., Michigan
Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. Age 80 years. The son of the late Harry and Eileen (O’Connell) Nowaczyk, Duane was born on July 6, 1942 in Saginaw, Michigan. He married the love of his life, Judith Mary Schramke, on February 27, 1965. She predeceased him on August 4, 2022. Duane graduated from St. Andrew High School Class of 1960. He was employed as a millwright who retired from General Motors where he earned his nickname & was known to the world as “Dooley”. He spent many years making paczki for St. Josaphat’s and proudly earned the title as “Carrollton Paczki Guy”. He always attended church with family in tow to spread the faith that he lived. The life he lived revolved around his wife Judi, his children, grandchildren &great-grandchildren. He was the most dedicated great-grandpa picking up “his kids” from school as the first car in the pick-up line so they never had to look for him and not missing a single soccer/football or volleyball game. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking and was sure to pass those skills along to the grandkids. His broken heart, when Judi left this world, led him back to her far sooner than his family had hoped. Duane was the most generous kind soul, and helped anyone who needed anything. His immortal legacy will be that he lived and breathed ensuring everyone was taken care of.
Surviving are his children, Jennifer (Shawn Coutz) Okowit, Jane Marie (Matthew) Westphal, and Matthew(Christy) Nowaczyk; his grandchildren, Amanda (Brandon) Milkowski, Jacob (Loren) Okowit, Jordan Williams(Matthew Bierlein) , Riley Coutz, Rachel Westphal, Jace (Hannah) Collins, Wayne (Jackson) Mooring, Tyler Collins and Alyssa (Dylan) Collins; his great-grandchildren, Amellia, Carsen & Anthony Milkowski, Nathen, Mavis, & Joshua Okowit & Bo Bierlein, Freddie Alish and Andrew Wood. He was truly excited for the arrival of Baby Brooklyn Bierlein & Baby Owen Collins. His “other grandchildren” Katelynn & Annabelle Morgan, Tiffini Okowit, & Jonathon Chandler; his beloved sisters, Barb McNeil & Carol (Mel) Fischer; many nieces and nephews including Lisa Chinery who was like another daughter to him. He had some very special friends who he held so dearly to his heart and they were like family more than friends including: John Yeska, Donald Buckey, Charlie Baston, Stu Wendy, Sheldon Penny, Michael Ford and Larry Houghton. Duane was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Rebecca Eileen Westphal and great-granddaughter, Alexandria Heather Torres; a brother-in-law, Robert McNeil; a nephew, Robert McNeil, Jr.
Duane’s family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Heart to Heart Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.
Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, 615 Hoyt St. Rev. Fr. Prentice Tipton will officiate. Entombment will follow in Mt. Olivet Mausoleum with military honors rendered by the United States Army and American Legion Post #439. Friends may visit at The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd., ( between Shattuck and McCarty), where the family will be present on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Friends and family will share memories at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Saginaw Children’s Zoo or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Three words that sum up Duane’s life – Blessed, Loved, Full.
Carrollton Twp., Michigan
Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. Age 80 years. The son of the late Harry and Eileen (O’Connell) Nowaczyk, Duane was born on July 6, 1942 in Saginaw, Michigan. He married the love of his life, Judith Mary Schramke, on February 27, 1965. She predeceased him on August 4, 2022. Duane graduated from St. Andrew High School Class of 1960. He was employed as a millwright who retired from General Motors where he earned his nickname & was known to the world as “Dooley”. He spent many years making paczki for St. Josaphat’s and proudly earned the title as “Carrollton Paczki Guy”. He always attended church with family in tow to spread the faith that he lived. The life he lived revolved around his wife Judi, his children, grandchildren &great-grandchildren. He was the most dedicated great-grandpa picking up “his kids” from school as the first car in the pick-up line so they never had to look for him and not missing a single soccer/football or volleyball game. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking and was sure to pass those skills along to the grandkids. His broken heart, when Judi left this world, led him back to her far sooner than his family had hoped. Duane was the most generous kind soul, and helped anyone who needed anything. His immortal legacy will be that he lived and breathed ensuring everyone was taken care of.
Surviving are his children, Jennifer (Shawn Coutz) Okowit, Jane Marie (Matthew) Westphal, and Matthew(Christy) Nowaczyk; his grandchildren, Amanda (Brandon) Milkowski, Jacob (Loren) Okowit, Jordan Williams(Matthew Bierlein) , Riley Coutz, Rachel Westphal, Jace (Hannah) Collins, Wayne (Jackson) Mooring, Tyler Collins and Alyssa (Dylan) Collins; his great-grandchildren, Amellia, Carsen & Anthony Milkowski, Nathen, Mavis, & Joshua Okowit & Bo Bierlein, Freddie Alish and Andrew Wood. He was truly excited for the arrival of Baby Brooklyn Bierlein & Baby Owen Collins. His “other grandchildren” Katelynn & Annabelle Morgan, Tiffini Okowit, & Jonathon Chandler; his beloved sisters, Barb McNeil & Carol (Mel) Fischer; many nieces and nephews including Lisa Chinery who was like another daughter to him. He had some very special friends who he held so dearly to his heart and they were like family more than friends including: John Yeska, Donald Buckey, Charlie Baston, Stu Wendy, Sheldon Penny, Michael Ford and Larry Houghton. Duane was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Rebecca Eileen Westphal and great-granddaughter, Alexandria Heather Torres; a brother-in-law, Robert McNeil; a nephew, Robert McNeil, Jr.
Duane’s family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Heart to Heart Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.
Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, 615 Hoyt St. Rev. Fr. Prentice Tipton will officiate. Entombment will follow in Mt. Olivet Mausoleum with military honors rendered by the United States Army and American Legion Post #439. Friends may visit at The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd., ( between Shattuck and McCarty), where the family will be present on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Friends and family will share memories at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Saginaw Children’s Zoo or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Three words that sum up Duane’s life – Blessed, Loved, Full.