Joseph Skower

Of Vassar, age 89, died Monday, November 30, 2009 at Frankenmuth Lutheran Home. The Funeral Mass will take place Friday, December 4, 2009 at the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church in Vassar. Rev. Fr. William Bonnichi will officiate with burial to follow in Riverside Cemetery with Graveside Military Honors. JoeAaas family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 1:00pm until 9:00pm. On Thursday evening, family, friends and parish will gather to pray the Rosary at 7:30pm. On Friday, Joe will be taken to church to lie in state from 10:00am until time of Funeral Mass at 11:00am. Those desiring may direct memorial contributions to the National Parkinson Foundation, Frankenmuth Lutheran Home-Activities or to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church Debt Retirement Fund. Envelopes are available at the funeral home and church. Joseph Sr. was born August 25, 1920 in Detroit, Michigan the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Francis (Schaffer) Skower. He and Eleanor M. Skower were united in marriage on August 22, 1942 in Hazel Park. Joe proudly served in the Co 1 511th Parachute Infantry in the United States Army for 2 years receiving numerous medals, ribbons and awards. Joe received his Honorable Discharge on November 27, 1945 at Fort Sheridan Illinois. Joe worked at Eaton Foundry for 36 years before retiring in 1982. Joe enjoyed bowling and was added into the bowling hall of fame, an avid golfer with a Hole-in-One Trophy that he received at the age of 84 years old, he loved playing cards, maintaining his yard and home. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. After his retirement for 25 years he operated his own business doing light home repair and small engines for many local people. Joe Sr. leaves to cherish his memory his wife Eleanor; son Jim and wife, Norma Skower of Vassar and their children; Renee and husband Mike Griffin of Chicago, Lesley and husband Mike Kornacki of Cadillac, Angela Skower of Vassar; his brother Frank and wife Janet Going of Grand Rapids, and his sister Patricia King of Vassar; five grandchildren; Allyson, Evan and Andrew Kornacki, Alex and Henry Griffin; numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dr. Robert Skower of California, sister Thelma Chaltron and her husband Fred of Capac, son Joseph Jr., of Vassar, and brother-in-law Robert King of Vassar. The family would like extend a special thank you to the Frankenmuth Lutheran Home for their compassionate care during Joe's brief illness.