Richard Allen Tyrakowski

Richard Allen Tyrakowski, 64, passed away peacefully Monday morning, July 17, 2017; family members he loved so dearly were by his side.  He is survived by his three children, Richard Tyrakowski Jr. of Elkhart, Jill Davis of Dowagiac, and Julie Tyrakowski (Jeffrey Miller) of Elkhart, along with his five grandchildren, Andrew, Jenna, Megan, Cade, and Camryn, as well as his sister, Terenia (Andy) Zawisza of Granger, two brothers, Chester Tyrakowski and Mark Tyrakowski, both of Dowagiac, and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father, Chester Tyrakowski Sr., his mother, Josephine (Ciesla) Tyrakowski Stevens, and stepfather, Roger Stevens. A native of Dowagiac, Richard, better known as Rick, was an extremely proud Chieftain, graduating from Dowagiac Union High School in 1971.  He married the former Dawn Loseth in 1975 and they made Twin Lakes their home.  Always following his ambition and creativity, he began his own antennae and satellite business, Rick’s Antennae Sales and Service, at the age of 25.  Rick was an avid handyman who loved to fix anything he could.  Nothing gave Rick greater pleasure than spending time on the lake with his grandchildren, and hosting large celebrations with his family and friends.  Never one to shy away from his sense of civic duty, Rick volunteered a great deal of time with organizations such as The Red Cross, R.A.C.E.S. Radio Group (Cass Amateur Radio), CERT, the Twin Lakes Improvement Association, and even served as a Twin Lakes lifeguard.  He was also a member and former chief of the Twin Lakes Fire Department, as well as an EMT.  Rick and his family also purchased the 5 Mile Drive In Theater in 1988, a business they owned and operated with fervent dedication and devotion until 2006. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, July 21, at 11:00 AM at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. Rick’s family will receive guests on Thursday, July 20, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home and on Friday, July 21, at 10:00 AM until the time of service.  A gathering of family and friends will take place following the service at the Elks Lodge, 300 Riverside Drive in Dowagiac.  Those wishing to make memorial contributions may do so to the SMC Foundation, memo: nursing and health education building, or to the Cass County Sheriff Amateur Radio Group.  Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkch.com.