Carolyn M. Tarwacki, 39 / Dec. 16, 1970 — Feb. 5, 2010

John F. Tarwacki Jr., 42 / April 26, 1967 — Feb. 5, 2010

Carolyn M. Tarwacki, 39, and her husband, John F. Tarwacki Jr., 42, of Carberry Road, Niles died at their home Friday, Feb. 5, 2010.

John was born April 26, 1967 in South Bend to John Francis and Dolores Else (Wolffram) Tarwacki Sr. He graduated from John Adams High School, South Bend, and lived in this area most of his life.

Carolyn was born Dec. 16, 1970 in Niles to Jackie Lee and Sharon Ann (Fretz) McKnight. She graduated from Niles High School, and lived in Niles all of her life.

They were both employed by Quinlan & Fabish Music Co. (formerly Blessing Music Co.), where Carolyn was the regional representative to southwest Michigan. John has previously been employed by Memorial Hospital, South Bend, and by the City of South Bend in a position which was featured in an article by the South Bend Tribune in 2007.

John served in the United States Navy as a nuclear-powered submarine engineer from 1987 to 1990. He had 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 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 (Ind.) Municipal and the Saint Joseph (Mich.) 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.

They were married July 7, 2007 at Hope Community Church, Niles.

They are survived by John’s children, John F. Tarwacki III an Zachary (Katrina) Tarwacki, all of West Point, Miss., Tea (Ryan) Koehn of Texas, Janna Tarwacki of Oklahoma; a granddaughter, Ciersten Tarwacki; Carolyn’s mother, Sharon A. McKnight of Niles; John’s parents, Dolores E. “Dollie” (Dean) Frick and John F. (Carol) Tarwacki Sr., all of South Bend; Carolyn’s sister, Katherine “Katie” (David) Weist of Niles; John’s siblings, Sue (Tom) Michael of Cincinnati, Ohio, 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, former Wakarusa (Ind.) postmaster Jerry (Ruth) Miller.

The funeral service for Carolyn and John Tarwacki will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010 at Hope Community Church, 2390 Lake St., Niles with the Rev. Cornelius Ryan, C.S.C. of Little Flower Catholic Church, South Bend; the Rev. David Bartley of South Bend First Church of the Nazarene; and the Rev. Patricia Hass of Pokagon (Mich.) United Methodist Church all officiating.

Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles and will conclude with the veteran’s flag presentation and “Taps” in honor of John’s military service.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the church from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Contributions in memory of Carolyn and John may be made to the Instrumental Music Department of Niles High School or the Relay for Life.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.