A Family Funeral Home
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Dwaine F. "Dick" Otwaska

September 29, 1937 - November 28, 2020
Racine, WI

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Visitation

Tuesday, December 15, 2020
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM CST
Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home
Racine Location
803 Main St.
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 634-7888
Driving Directions

Service

Tuesday, December 15, 2020
11:30 AM CST
Live Stream
Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home
Racine Location
803 Main St.
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 634-7888
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Tex Reynolds Toys For Tots

Relay for Life (American Cancer Society)

Charity of your choosing

Life Story / Obituary


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Dwaine “Dick” F. Otwaska, age 83, passed away Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Ascension All Saints Medical Center. He was born in Racine, September 29, 1937, son of the late Francis “Frank” and Mildred “Millie” (Nee: Feranchek) Otwaska.

Dick was a graduate of Washington Park High School and enlisted in the Marine Corps for 2 years. He worked at A & P and then at S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. for thirty-three years until his retirement in May of 1997. On October 14, 1961 he was united in marriage to Constance “Connie” (Nee: Erickson) who preceded him in death, April 15, 1987. On July 1, 1988 he was united in marriage to Gail (Nee: Heflen) Maxwell. He was a longtime member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.

Dick enjoyed volunteering for various organizations including Toys for Tots repairing musical instruments and games, and helping distribute toys at the Christmas holiday, on the Lake Park Rescue Squad, with the Boy Scouts where he received an award for mentoring his grandson, Dustin, who went on to obtain his Eagle Scout rank. He was a member of Knights of Columbus and KOC Honor Guard, Oversaw KOC Christmas Poster Contest “The True Meaning of Christmas” for 23 years, and was the 2015 Volunteer Center of Racine County Veteran Award Winner. For 20 years he participated in several teams helping to raise money for Relay for Life. Dick enjoyed attending and participating in car shows with his 1975 Excalibur, 1968 Jaguar XKE (which he rebuilt), and 1956 Austin Healey. He drove his 1975 Excalibur in the Racine Fourth of July parade for many years. Dick enjoyed playing his clarinet and also played with the S.C. Johnson Band. He also played in a variety of leagues over the years: golf, bowling, and softball. Dick loved traveling, and his numerous trips included Europe, Canada, Mexico, as well as many road trips throughout the Continental US. Dick enjoyed building things, fixing things, and helping others whenever he could.

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of thirty-two years, Gail; his daughters, Shelley Otwaska, Dawn (Dean) Boyer, Michelle (John Staehler) Maxwell; his grandsons: Dustin Boyer, Dylan Boyer, Darin Boyer, Devon Boyer; brother: Ken (Carol) Otwaska; sister, Mary Lou (Len) Peden; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gary (Annette) Heflen, Gina (Louie) Toutant, Mary Heflen; nephews, nieces, Godchildren, cousins, and friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Constance “Connie” (Nee: Erickson) Otwaska; niece, Christine Werlein; nephew, Frank Heflen; mothers-in-law and fathers-in-law, Catherine “Kay” (Frank) Heflen and Letha (Reuben) Mueller; brother-in-law: Glen Heflen; and his lifelong friend, John “Chick” Chizek, Jr.

Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Yamid Blanco officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service 11:30 a.m. To view Dick’s service online you may go to Dick’s page on the funeral home website, www.meredithfuneralhome.com, select visitation/services and then Live Stream. Memorials to Tex Reynolds Toys for Tots, Relay for Life (American Cancer Society), or a charity of your choosing would be appreciated.

The family would like to sincerely thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Ascension All Saints Medical Center.

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