Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT – October 16, 2000

Eric P. Makielski

Aug. 18, 1958 - Oct. 12, 2000

Eric P. Makielski, 42, of Eagle Lake, Edwardsburg, Mich., died in a car accident early Thursday morning in Kokomo, Ind. He was born on August 18, 1958, the fourth son and sixth of seven children of Joseph J. (Jack) Makielski Jr. and Theodora T. (Teddy) Makielski who preceded him in death.

Eric is survived by two beautiful daughters, Caitlin, 12, and Madeline, 9, from his marriage to Suzanne Brammer Makielski of Niles, Mich. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary M. (Susie) Hunter of Sacramento, Calif., and Katherine A. Hannan of Sebastopol, Calif.; three brothers, Dr. Jonathan C. Makielski of Madison, Wis., David J. Makielski of Union, Mich., and Charles A. (Cork) Makielski of Mishawaka.

A brother, Michael T. Makielski of Bremerton, Wash., preceded him in death.

He was president of Pixel Creek Technology, Inc., in Niles, a founding member and past president of the International Digital Imaging Association, a member of the Eagle Lake Sailing Club, the Thistle and Laser Class Sailing Associations, a member of Michigan United Conservation Club, an instructor in graphic design at Holy Cross College, an alumnus of St. Joseph High School and the California Institute of the Arts, and attended Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Edwardsburg.

Eric loved life and will be deeply missed by many friends and family. He was a gifted artist in both the fine arts and graphic design, and his intensity in life was also reflected in his competitive spirit in sailing. Most of all, he was a loving and dedicated father to his children.

Memorial contributions may be made to an educational fund established at Teachers Credit Union for his daughters.

There was visitation in McGann Funeral Home at 2313 E. Edison Road, from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m., and a period of reflections and sharing memories of Eric was at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15. A memorial Mass will be held today at 11 a.m. (Mich. time) at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, US 12, Edwardsburg, Mich.

You can't change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails.