John Gorka

John Gorka, 91, of Bridgman passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Saturday, February 19 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 3903 Lake Street, Bridgman, with Father Arthur Howard as Celebrant. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. Friends may meet with the family on Friday at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman, from 6 - 8 PM. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be given to Our Lady Queen of Peace Food Pantry.

John was born January 6, 1920 sixty miles from Poznan, Poland the son of the late Adom and Julie (Mita) Gorka. He was snatched from his home in 1942 to work on a farm in Germany raising food for the Third Reich without pay. He met Genowefa Weligus in May 1945 and married her in a displaced camp on August 6, 1946. They moved to the United States in 1949 and became citizens in 1956. He worked at Leco and retired after 36 years of service. In 1963, they moved to the Date Farm and enjoyed farming and raising animals, especially his pigeons. He sponsored Joe Gorka, his nephew, to come from Poland in 1980. John and Genowefa have been members of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church for 48 years.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Genowefa; two sons - Gary (Patty Kern) Gorka of Sawyer, Richard Gorka of Bridgman; four grandchildren - Jessica Meshske, Shelly Ladra, Adom Gorka, Angela Gorka; 10 great grandchildren.

John was also preceded in death by 2 brothers.

Visitation

Friday February 18, 2011 , 6 - 8 PM at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel

Mass of Christian Burial

Saturday February 19, 2011 , 11 AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace

Commital Service

Saturday February 19, 2011 at Graceland Cemetery