Michael Mike J. Dow

Mike was born on March 19, 1929, the youngest of five siblings, to Anna and Michael Dolatowski. Mike was the beloved husband of the late Bernice, nee Gerten; devoted father of Denise (Ron) Mroz and Michael (Laura); loving grandfather of Krysta and Karolyn Mroz; dear brother of the late Anthony (late Genevieve) Dolatowski, late Chester (Vi) Dolatowski, late Florence (late Stanley) Shimek and late Irene (Late Edward) Banaszak.

He was also loved by many including a large group of nieces, nephews, co-workers workers and friends.

Mike was born in Aurora, Illinois and lived his life in Lisle, Illinois. He graduated from St. Joan of Arc grammar school and St. Procopius High School. After graduating high school, he went to work for Kroehler Manufacturing in Naperville Illinois. In 1952, he was drafted into the Army and served in Korea.

On November 17th, 1951 he married Bernice. Their marriage was filled with faith, trust, and love for each other and family. Their summertime extended family gatherings became legendary.

He was a man of much energy, many talents, and careers. Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the Army in 1954, he went back to work for Kroehler Manufacturing in Naperville, Illinois. Later on, he sold insurance through his own Dow Insurance Agency. He ran a small greenhouse business, Plants-R-Us. located on the property where he lived close to Downtown Lisle. He was an active volunteer at

St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, serving at various times on the school board, finance council, and altar flower ministry.

Mike was involved in local politics for fifty years. He was a Lisle Precinct Committeeman for much of that time. He was a longstanding member of the Lisle Township Republic Organization and held the Chairmanship of that organization in the 1990’s. For the past twenty years, he served in elected office as the Lisle Township Highway Commissioner.

He lived each day to the fullest and was an inspiration to all who knew him. He touched many lives in many positive ways. He will be missed.

Visitation Sunday, August 26, 2012 from 3-8 pm at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave (on Rt. 53, ½ mile south of Ogden Ave. / Rt 34) Lisle where funeral services will begin Monday 9:15 am and proceed to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Mass 10:00 am. Interment Assumption Cemetery, Wheaton.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Heart Assoc., 208 S. LaSalle St., Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60604 (www.heart.org) or to National Kidney Foundation, 215 W. Illinois St., Chicago, IL 60654 (www.kidney.org)

For additional information, call the funeral home at 630-964-9392

Below are words composed by the hand of a daughter, Denise, to her parents Mike and Bernice Dow, in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary in 2001.

My Tribute to Mom and Dad, by Denise Mroz

In the last few weeks I’ve found myself thinking often about what it means to be married for fifty years. Just as no two people are alike, no two marriages are alike. Mom and Dad’s marriage is however, special and unique. It is special because of the way they treat each other. It is unique because I have not witnessed this kind of relationship to this degree in any other marriage. I have been grateful since an early age that I am a member of this family and no other.

They have demonstrated love, selflessness, kindness, and consideration for each other on a constant basis. Their faith in God has always been solid and unquestioning and they take matters often into prayerful consideration. They relish and enjoy time with each other, family, and friends. And they have remained stubbornly supportive of each other each time a health issue arises.

It is with these traits in evidence that they raised a family in a warm and loving environment. They taught Michael and I to work hard, but to always save some time to spend together as a family and enjoy the simple things in life – playing board games on a wintry Sunday afternoon, relishing a meal made entirely with food grown in the garden, throwing a family picnic and a pool party, picking apples on a crisp fall day. They taught us life skills such as cooking, maintaining a home, sewing, and how to run a business. They taught us that material things, the trappings we live in, the jewelry we sport, the vacations to fancy destinations, are nice, but not as important as time spent together. They raised us in a Catholic home and made sure we were able to attend Catholic schools.

They provided ears to listen to our frustration, hurts, and even anger. If we were discouraged when things didn’t go the way we thought they should, they reminded us that when God closes a door he really opens a window.

They never pressured us to reach goals THEY thought were important but shared in our joys and successes as they occurred.

This wonderful example of marriage and family life has been an inspiration for me and now I am trying to duplicate it in my own life. It is not always easy, but it is so, so worth it. I remember our social worker asking me about my life growing up and what I would change as I raised my own family. I thought long and hard before saying that there was not one thing I would change. She said that was amazing; no one had ever said that to her before. I think that was a great tribute!

Finally, I want to give mom and dad special recognition for being the wonderful grandparents they are an always knew they would be. They are loving and attentive and generous beyond measure. Eager for visits and joyful in their interactions. They are the best!!

Mom and Dad, we honor you today and every day. We have hit the biggest jackpot of all by having you as parents and grandparents. Thank you for all the memories and may God bless you now and always.

Signed Denise