Obituary of Bernard Joseph Swejkoski

Bernard “Ben” Joseph Swejkoski, our loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away October 4, 2017, at Spectrum United Memorial Hospital in Greenville, at the age of 87. A funeral ceremony will be held in his honor Saturday, October 7th, at 11:00 AM, at Chippewa Hills Baptist Church in Remus, with Pastor Charles Richardson officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Six Lakes. Visitation will take place at the church on Friday evening from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and again on Saturday one hour prior to the service.

Ben was born April 27, 1930, the son of Joseph and Anna (Strumski) Swejkoski, in Detroit, MI. He married the love of his life, Pauline Barnes on April 25, 1959, and the two were blessed enough to have the next 58 years together. Family bond meant everything to Ben; he adored his wife, and was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren. He loved his God, and was strong in his faith throughout life.

Fishing, woodworking, playing horseshoes, and attending the Detroit Hydroplane races were a few of his favorite things. Ben also enjoyed watching Molly B’s Polka Party on T.V., being the proud Polish man he was.

Vibrant, private, kind, wise, and fair were all words used to describe Ben. He was also known to be Strong like a bull in his younger years, strong like a rock in his later years, and proud, but not to a fault.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Pauline; children, Michele Fleck, Darrell (Catherine) Wheatley, Barbara Swejkoski, and Kevin (Ann) Swejkoski; grandchildren, Jeff Wheatley, Shannon Kesteloot, Keith Wheatley, Eric Wheatley, Angelique Sharpe, and Alecia Swejkoski; seven great-grandchildren, and one great great-grandchild.

Ben was preceded in death by his brothers, Bruno, Norbert, Frank, and Edward, and one sister, Mary.