Carolyn and John Tarwacki Jr.

Dec. 16, 1970 - Feb. 5, 2010
John F. Tarwacki Jr. April 26, 1967 - Feb. 5, 2010 NILES - Carolyn M. Tarwacki, 39, and her husband, John F. Tarwacki Jr., 42, of Carberry Road, Niles, MI, died at their home in Niles on Friday, February 5, 2010. John was born on April 26, 1967, in South Bend, IN, to John Francis and Dolores Else (Wolffram) Tarwacki Sr. He graduated from John Adams High School, South Bend, and had lived in this area most of his life. Carolyn was born on December 16, 1970, in Niles, to Jackie Lee and Sharon Ann (Fretz) McKnight. She graduated from Niles High School, and had lived in Niles all of her life. They were both employed by Quinlan & Fabish Music Company (formerly Blessing Music Company) where Carolyn was the regional representative to southwest Michigan. John had previously been employed by Memorial Hospital, South Bend, IN, and by the City of South Bend in a position which was featured in an article by the South Bend Tribune in 2007. John had served in the United States Navy as a nuclear-powered submarine engineer from 1987 through 1990. He has a great sense of humor and loved to have fun, especially with his family. He was skilled in Karaoke, and was an avid sports fan, especially of the University of Notre Dame, the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs. Carolyn enjoyed performing music, and was a talented player of the euphonium. She participated in several area music organizations including the Southwestern Michigan Brass Band, The Elkhart (Indiana) Municipal Band and the Saint Joseph (Michigan) Municipal Band. They were both devout Christians, caring for people with the love of God, especially their close and extended family, and they were loved by all whose lives they had touched. On July 7, 2007, in Hope Community Church, Niles, they were married. They are survived by John's children, John F. Tarwacki III and Zachary (Katrin) Tarwacki, all of West Point, Mississippi, Tea (Ryan) Koehn of Texas and Janna Tarwacki of Oklahoma; and a granddaughter, Ciersten Tarwacki. Also surviving are Carolyn's mother, Sharon A. McKnight of Niles; and John's parents, Dolores E. "Dollie" (Dean) Frick and John F. (Carol) Tarwacki Sr., all of South Bend, IN; Carolyn's sister, Katherine "Katie" (David) Weist of Niles; John's siblings, Sue (Tom) Michael of Cincinnati, OH, Kurt J. Tarwacki and Danielle Tarwacki, both of South Bend; and by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, including a nephew who was very special to them, Kelan McKnight. They were preceded in death by Carolyn's father, Jack McKnight, and their grandparents, including former Wakarusa (Indiana) Postmaster, Jerry (Ruth) Miller. The funeral service for Carolyn and John Tarwacki will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 11, 2010, in Hope Community Church, 2390 Lake Street, Niles, with the Rev. Cornelius Ryan, C.S.C., of Little Flower Catholic Church, South Bend, and the Rev. David Bartley of South Bend First Church of the Nazarene, and the Rev. Patricia Haas of Pokagon (Michigan) United Methodist Church all officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, and will conclude with he Veterans Flag Presentation and Taps in honor of John's military service. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church from 4 to 8 p.m. today. Contributions in memory of Carolyn and John may be made to the Instrumental Music Department of Niles High School, or Relay For Life. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.