Tony and Mary (Tuka) Krukowski married on July 13, 1946, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Chicago.

Their marriage was blessed with eight children:  Mrs. Edward (Darlene) Waldschmidt, Mrs. Jerry (Donna) Dodd, Mrs. Andy (Deborah) Merrill, Mrs. Charles (Denise) Sobieski, John Krukowski, and Robert Krukowski all of the Dowagiac area; Tony (Lisa) Krukowski of Stevensville; and Mrs. John (Mary) Scapino of Edwardsburg.

Tony and Mary have 21 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Tony is a retired tool and die maker/machinist, and with Mary owned the family-run “Tuka’s Grocery” established by Mary’s father, John Tuka Sr. at Five-Mile Corner, north of Dowagiac.

Tony and Mary have centered their lives around family, church, and community.

They are members of Holy Maternity Catholic Church, Tony is a member of the Dowagiac Knights of Columbus and a fourth-degree member of the Father Baroux Assembly.

Mary is a member of the Church Ladies Guild and the Lee Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

Tony and Mary both belong to two very special groups; the “Golden Agers” and the “Monday Angels.”

Tony and Mary have been an inspiration to many people, especially their family.

As their son-in-law, Jerry, puts it, “They are a hard act to follow.”

This very special occasion was celebrated with an Anniversary Mass on Saturday, July 16, at 4 p.m. at Holy Maternity Church in Dowagiac.