Michael A. "Mike" Malkowski

Mr. Michael A. “Mike” Malkowski, 42, of Goshen, finally made peace with his personal demons and quietly slipped into the hands of his Saviour sometime prior to Saturday, July 23, 2022. He was born in Munster, Indiana on April 25,1980 and was the son of the late Robert Malkowski, Sr. and Kathleen (McCormack) Malkowski Flanagan, who precede Mike in death, along with his brothers Patrick Serafine, William “Liam” Serafine and James Crouch.

Surviving Mike are his children Natalie Malkowski, who lives at home, Samantha Paquette of Kankakee, Illinois and Destiny Blacksher of the Dallas, Texas area; brothers Robert Malkowski of Los Altos Hills, California, Andy Serafine of Elkhart and Richard Crouch of Dyer, Indiana; sisters Roberta (Chente) Ferreria and Therese Malkowski, both of Bourbonnais, Illinois and Sharon (Wade) Benoit of Kenner, Louisiana and a loving host of nieces, nephews, extended family and good friends, including folks like Doug and Melody Johnson, who assisted and mentored Mike on his journey to be a Christian.

In accordance with the family’s wishes, cremation is to take place with the assistance of Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart. The family is planning on a small memorial remembrance service on Friday, July 29, 2022 at 3:00 pm at That Church on the Rise, 28082 County Road 4, Elkhart. Pastor Justin Moore will officiate.

Mike had many jobs throughout his life but seemed to really have a knack for industrial painting and powder coating, so most of his time was spent working in the local RV industry. In his earlier, more athletic years, Mike even worked as a professional street and attraction actor in Gatlinburg in the Smoky Mountains. He also had a keen knowledge of the Scriptures and loved to talk to folks about how Jesus could positively affect their lives. He loved attending worship services on Sunday, and often volunteered to head up the church’s youth group when adult leaders were needed. 

Although Mike had always traditionally been a people person, over the years he developed a taste for privacy and being alone. This was not an effort to shut out society; it was simply Mike’s way of finding his comfort zone. He also had a really witty and dry sense of humor, and because he spent much of his time at church or around members of his congregation, his snarky humor would seem to come completely out of nowhere. Everyone knew that Mike could always get them all laughing and, for a moment, perhaps forget the burdens of the day.

Mike also liked working in the service of others and would often help with God’s Kitchen, a local food charity where Mike would volunteer to feed and shelter needy and homeless folks and maybe even minister to them with an uplifting word of faith or comfort. Needless to say, Mike’s strong Christian beliefs were very important to him, and he used them to maintain bearing on his moral compass. He loved nothing more than to share his personal salvation story with others in an attempt to motivate them to live up to their potential. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his girls and taking them to the Super Heroes Hall Of Fame in Elkhart, among other things, and watching Messianic Rabbi Kirt A. Schneider’s series “Discovering the Jewish Jesus”.   

Those wishing to make a contribution in Mike’s name may do so by making a gift to That Church on the Rise. Also, do not forget to browse Mike’s obituary page on our website as you can leave or read comments, post pictures, share memories or purchase memorial items like flowers and such.

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