Kenneth Korkoskie, Sr.

When you try to define the sort of person Kenneth Korkoskie, Sr. was to his family and friends, you imagine someone who is an all around good person, who loves his life and his family, who always makes himself available when he is needed. This is how Ken will be remembered, as a man whose heart was undoubtedly his strongest attribute. The first years of the 1940s marked a tumultuous decade for America, as well as for the rest of the world. In Europe, fighting erupted between Allied and Axis forces and the United States would soon be drawn into this conflict by the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It was into this chaotic world that Kenneth Robert Korkoskie was born on January 1, 1940, in Lansing, Michigan. His parents, Norman William and Georgina (Tremont) Korkoski, were out celebrating at New Years Eve party when the pangs of labor hit Georgina on the dance floor, and she wasnt too happy to have to leave either. Nonetheless, they were overjoyed when they held their healthy baby boy in their arms for the first time. Baby Ken was also welcomed into the family by his three older siblings: Evelyn, Tony and Elsie. To support their growing family, Norman worked as a laborer in the factories, while Georgina was a housekeeper at a local hotel. There was always some kind of music being played around the Korkoski house since Norman was quite a musician and played just about any instrument he picked up. Like most boys, Ken was pretty athletic and enjoyed playing football as a teenager. He later took up bowling, and it was through this sport that Ken met his beautiful wife-to-be, Peggy Smith. The two dated for 2 years and fell hopelessly in love. When Ken finally popped the question, and Peggy said yes, he made sure she knew ahead of time that she was marrying a mess - 42 years later, Peggy still has no regrets. The couple was happily married on April 9, 1966, and blessed with five wonderful children: Kenneth Jr., Jerry, Lyle, Renee and Joanne. Ken cared deeply for his family and showed it by providing faithfully for them and sharing much love and laughter. Like his father, he worked as a laborer for many years at Motor Wheels in Lansing until health issues required him to go on disability and then retire. As a couple, Ken and Peggy continued to enjoy bowling together on a league with blind people in Lansing. One time, while attending a bowling banquet, Ken was asked to dance by one of the blind ladies, but he told her he had a broken leg. Suspiciously, the lady reached under the table to feel his cast, calling his bluff. After the couple had an empty nest at home, they traveled more, and one vacation led them to Arizona, which they loved so much, they didnt come home. They both found work in the area hospitals Ken as a custodian and Peggy as a nurses aide. After 8 years, however, they returned home to Michigan. Then, in 1996, they moved to Bradenton, Florida, where they enjoyed the fun and sun for 12 years before moving back to Michigan to be near their family. Ken had an incredibly kind and compassionate heart, and was always thinking of others. He made sure to always read the bulletin from the Baptist church they attended to see who was ill and needed prayers, and then gladly did his part. Friends and family will remember Ken not for the things he did, but for the reason he did them. His presence in the world will be greatly missed, but the memories he created with his loved ones will always be remembered. Kenneth R. Korkoskie, Sr., age 68, died on Monday, December 1, 2008, after only a few days in the hospice house in Muskegon. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; sons, Kenneth (Michelle) Korkoskie, Jr., Jerry (Elizabeth) Korkoskie, Lyle Korkoskie, all of Muskegon; daughters, Renee (Esteban) Villarreal of Mason, Joanne (Sam King) Korkoskie of Newaygo; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother, Tony (Fran) Korkoskie of Lansing; and sister, Evelyn Mannerberg of Lansing. He was preceded in death by his sister, Elsie. Services for Ken will be held on Friday, December 5, at 3:00 p.m. in Clock Chapel at Clock Life Story Funeral Home Muskegon, with Pastor Don Letson officiating. Interment will be at Laketon Township Cemetery. Friends and relatives may visit with Kens family on Friday, 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Please visit Kens memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with his family or sign his online guest book.