Arthur DEMSKE

30 JAN 1922 - 1 MAR 2015

• BIRTH: 30 JAN 1922, Dowagiac, Cass, Michigan
• DEATH: 1 MAR 2015, Dowagiac, Cass, Michigan

INDEX

[N12509] Arthur Demske
Jan. 30, 1922 - Mar. 1, 2015

EAU CLAIRE - Arthur I. Demske, 93, of Eau Claire, died Sunday, March 1, 2015, at Royalton Manor in St. Joseph. He was born January 30, 1922, in Dowagiac, the son of Gottlieb and Rose Demske. He was a World War II veteran, having served his country with the United States Army. Art resided his entire life in Eau Claire on the family farm. He was an excessively hard-working farmer, growing fruits and vegetables that were sold through the South Bend Farmer's Market. He was a stockholder at that very market for 48 years with his family-owned business. He appreciated and loved all his customers and fellow vendors at the market. The market provided him not only an income, but also a social outlet and many great stories. He was also an avid patron at the Flea Market in Paw Paw, and he enjoyed attending the auctions at Big Bear and the fish fries at The Dank. He is survived by his devoted, loving wife of 50 years, Priscilla; his daughter, Kimberly (LeRoy) Witucki of Granger; three step-daughters: Jo-Ann (Bob) Bailey of Eau Claire, Pam (Jerry) Hicketheier of Prescott, Arizona and Wendy (Bill) McCormick of Albany, Oregon; several grandchildren; a very special sister-in-law, Clara Demske of Coloma; three nephews: Dean (Sandy) Fege of Detroit, David (Ann) Fege of San Diego, and Arnold (Patty) Fege of Annandale, Virginia; and his two best friends, Tim and Jim Ferry, who currently own the family farm in Eau Claire. Art was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Betty; and sister, Martha Fege. Friends and family may visit from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, at Bowerman Funeral Home in Eau Claire, and online messages may be left at www.bowermanfuneral.com. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday, March 6, at Bowerman Funeral Home. Burial with military rites will follow at Caldwell Cemetery, Eau Claire. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice at Home. Many thanks to all the staff at Royalton Manor and Hospice at Home. Art gave it his best try to live pain-free, but lost the battle.Published in South Bend Tribune on Mar. 3, 2015