Dear Lori,   

I am sending my sincerest condolences.  I am thinking of you and am praying for you and your family.  

May God bless you during this most difficult time.

Your old high school friend,

Lisa Tribula (Moore)
Metamora MI

Life has an extraordinary way of contrasting the deepest sorrows and the greatest joys. In the span of just 48 hours, we bid farewell to Papa, a man whose love and wisdom shaped my world, and then welcomed our son into this world, a tiny beacon of hope and renewal. The pain of loss lingers, but the arrival of our son reminds me that life's circle continues, connecting generations and filling our hearts with both sadness and profound joy. We’ll always remember you Papa. Oliver Joseph Godlewski,  the world is yours!

For that we will never be able to repay not only papa but Gami and our parents as well. It all starts at the top and we are beyond blessed to have them as our foundation. I cannot put into words the void that has been left by papas passing but I take a lot comfort in the lessons, love, one liners, and beers that he shared with us. 

I had a hard time with this at first. My brothers have  done amazing things that papa has in his own way done himself. How proud he was of Tyler’s military career and how they could exchange stories. Josh and Noah both carrying on that gm legacy making their own names as the go and getting to show papa how far everything has come. And selfishly I got a little upset when I realized I couldn’t think of a piece of  papa within myself that would he would have been proud of. Then shortly after his passing with us all back at their house we were just reminiscing. Nikki’s wedding was brought up, that canvas photo to be exact and Gami mentioned how proud of that photo papa was something along the lines of 35, there’s 35 of us in that photograph. That’s when it clicked. Family. It’s, Why one of the biggest fears I had in life was that my children would never have the honor to physically meet these amazing humans that we get to call grandparents. God am I so grateful my daughter got a few a of those moments. The love I have for our family (and I know that is in each and everyone one of us) is something Papa would have been proud of. He and gami have instilled in us all that at the end of the day there’s nothing more important than family. & that is why we know we could call any member from the Rheker Fam Bam and they’d be there in a heartbeat no matter the day and time. I’ll never forget the look in his eye as he told us stories about his family In Germany when we had a grandkids game night. Always so proud of his family. we have a little thanksgiving family tradition of going around the table to express what we’re thankful for and under no circumstances do we allow repeats at the table. Trust me you will be called out for trying. Not a Thanksgiving has passed by that someone hasn’t said how lucky we are that we have a family that continues to gather as one whole and enjoy it at that even that others have expressed how lucky we are as well.

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened” - Dr. Seuss
… As I fight the knots in my throat

I’m so incredibly grateful to have shared 32 out his 90 years with my grandfather. The memories, the lessons, the experiences, the stories.. I’m forever thankful. It doesn’t go unnoticed how fortunate our family is to have his memories, but what I wouldn’t give for just one more beer and a story. 

Thanks for all of it, Papa. I love you and I miss you💙
- Joshua/Bub

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened” - Dr. Seuss
… As I fight the knots in my throat

I’m so incredibly grateful to have shared 32 out his 90 years with my grandfather. The memories, the lessons, the experiences, the stories.. I’m forever thankful. It doesn’t go unnoticed how fortunate our family is to have his memories, but what I wouldn’t give for just one more beer and a story. 

Thanks for all of it, Papa. I love you and I miss you💙
- Joshua (Bub)

Some of you may remember just under a year ago, I posted about having a chance to bring my grandfather, Joseph Rheker back to the GM Tech Center for the first time since he retired after over 47 years of  service with General Motors

It is with a heavy heart that I post on behalf myself, my brother Joshua Godlewski and our family in regards to who was known to us as Papa has passed into a new life in Heaven. 

Papa instilled in every member of our family the values found in hard work, love, trust, loyalty, many others, but above all family. There was not a visit that went by in which one of those values weren’t discussed alongside a few good stories, endless cherished moments, and of course a few good “pops” as he would call the many beers we are all lucky to have had with him. 

I can honestly say our Papa was a driving force in my brother’s and I desire to work for General Motors, in a small step forward in becoming anywhere near half the man he was and always will be. And without a doubt he is the main driving force behind our entire family and the work we all do today whether it be in healthcare, the military, automotive, or municipalities. 

Papa was thrilled to see my post from last year, so myself and Josh thought this was only fitting as another small way to remember & show the impact he has had on so many people. 

In the wise words of Papa, we ask that everyone reminds themselves that “ You can’t do it any younger” and live each day to the fullest. 

You may have known and will remember him as Joe, JR, friend, or many other names, but I have been blessed to be one of the ones to be able to call him Papa throughout my life. 

Papa instilled in every member of our family the values found in hard work, love, trust, loyalty, many others, but above all family. There was not a visit or family party that went by in which one of those values weren’t discussed alongside a few good stories, endless cherished moments, and of course a few good “pops” as he would call the many beers we are all lucky to have had with him. 

I can honestly say that Papa would have wanted everyone who was blessed to spend even a second with him, not to be sad but to be happy knowing he is reunited with everyone who has gone before him. So please in the words of Papa, “Remember you can’t do it any younger” and have a drink or even just a moment, put your heart into everything you do, and think about just how blessed we all are.

Papa, we all love and miss you beyond all measure already. But if I know one thing, it’s that every time I drink a beer, you’ll still be sitting there right there with me, watching over all of us. Until we meet again, Prost, and say Hi to everyone else for us all. I love you.

My guy🤍 Thankful for our challenge of who could give the biggest hug every time we saw each other - I can still feel your last one because you won that time. 

Thank you for being the best example of an amazing husband, dad, sibling, and papa for everyone you have ever met. 

The Rheker family is a goal of many and we are blessed to have you as our glue to show us how to create so many memories and share so many stories. 

We miss you already but you know you won’t be forgotten & always celebrated. 🍻

Dear Karen, Mark and family. I am so sorry for your loss. I would always sit behind your mom and dad at the 4 o’clock Saturday mass at St. Clement. I just saw your dad about two weeks ago and was thinking how good he looked and what a handsome man. Your mom was very fortunate to have him for so many years.  I’m so sorry I didn’t make the service. I just found out about his death after church this past Saturday. It was a shock to everyone. My prayers and thoughts are with your family. . Miss seeing you Karen and Mark!

One of the good ones. Leader of a fine family and a true example of fatherhood. 

May God be with you 🙏 

Mike and Bobbi Sand

Pups ♥️
This still doesn’t seem real and I’m not sure how to explain how much you meant to me. You are the epitome of a family man and thank you for giving us the best of the best. Thank you for setting the example of what an amazing husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather looks like. 

Our Papa cracker dates with Leo and Gam will be missed beyond words but YOU are who taught us that those little family visits are worth more than anything else. I’m not sure who’s going to save me all the SCS news articles you thought I should know about or if I’ll ever make a blueberry muffin shake the same again. I’m so happy Leo was able to have almost five years and such a strong relationship with you 🥹 Within our massive family, you somehow knew how to make each of us grandkids and our spouses feel so so special to you. 

How lucky am I to have had you around for 32 years?! It is such a blessing and also just makes it that much harder to say “see ya later” 💔 I love you so so so much papa 


Our family offers our deepest condolences on the tremendous loss of your beloved husband, father, and Papa. May your hearts be comforted with many wonderful memories, and the enormous gratitude at being a part of his beautiful life here on Earth….  xoxo

OBITUARY

Joseph F. Rheker Jr.

June 30, 1932 – June 6, 2023

D.S. Temrowski and Sons Funeral Home

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