Michael Steven Grelecki, 70 of Valparaiso, IN, passed away suddenly on Monday, July 29, 2024. He was born December 11, 1953, in Hammond, IN, to the late Eugene and Lillian (Menzyk) Grelecki. Mike graduated from Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City, IL. He went into the family business as the Owner and Operator of Grelecki’s Automotive in Calumet City for over 40 years, retiring in 2022. Mike was a devoted Catholic, who attended mass at St. Paul Catholic Church. He also enjoyed working on cars, watching car races, especially the Indy 500, gardening, and spending time with his family. Mike was a supportive and generous man who was always taking care of others. He never met a stranger because his jolly personality and friendly demeanor endeared him to everyone he encountered. Mike will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, grandpa, brother, and uncle. He will be dearly missed, but his legacy will live on in the lives he touched while he was here.
On April 3, 1976, at Our Lady of Knock in Calumet City, IL, Mike married the love of his life, Margaret “Peggy” Hartnett, who survives, along with their children: Jennifer (Michael) Heredia, Janet (John) Krstevski, Michael (Alexandra) Grelecki, all of Crown Point, IN; grandchildren: Aubrey Flores, Jacob Heredia, Charlie Heredia, Ethan Krstevski, and Myka Krstevski; siblings: Patricia (Randy) Dabis, Mary McDermott, and Andrew Grelecki; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Matthew Grelecki; and brother, Thomas Grelecki.
A visitation will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso, IN, with a funeral service beginning at 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church, 1855 Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso, IN, 46385.
GUESTBOOK
We are so sorry for your loss. Mike was someone who would do anything for anyone. Mom loved him so and always looked forward to her oil changes so she could talk with him. He will be missed by many. -Brian & Sharon Blaszak
Mike was a person who was selfless. He served others with love and respect and honesty. He loved to joke and have fun. Plus he was an awesome mechanic and a very dependable friend and brother. I will greatly miss him and his laughter. Parties won't be the same without him. I wish the Lord would not have called him home so soon, but for Mike he is enjoying heaven. I'll join him there someday. I love you my brother. Your big sister Pat. -Pat Dabis
My deepest sympathies and condolences to the immediate family. A distant cousin of mine on the Misch side of the family. Niemec and Gorlecki Schwin and Automotive was a great Cal City family business. Prayers for all family and friends. -Lisa A Misch
My sincere condolences to the Grelecki family. Mike was not only a great customer of-ours (John’s Pizzeria) but someone I very much enjoyed talking with whenever I was at his shop. The only shop I would ever go until he retired. He will be missed. -Phil Bacino
We are so sorry for your loss. Mike was not only our mechanic over the years but we became friends. He was kind and generous. And an all around good man. He was never too busy to chat and when you walked into his shop he welcomed you as if it was his living room. We think about him every time we drive by Grelecki's. Many memories. Heaven has definitely gained an Angel and Cal City. has lost a friend. -Helen and Mike Stewart
Gerlecki auto was always our favorite mechanic. Mike would always help with anything and not charge alot. He will be dearly missed. Rip Mike -Sherry Fanelli
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mike. He was such a sweet man. I taught at Wilson school and for over 35 years Mike took care of my cars. He would have me drop my car off, give me a ride to school and then pick me up at the end of the day when my car was ready. U frequently would bring Mike and the guys donuts even when my car didn’t need to be serviced. Before he retired he did a lot of work on my car, mainly because I knew no one else would take such good care of it. You are in my prayers, -Terri Fielding
It is with deep sorrow to hear of Mike's passing. He was a very honorable man. My deepest condolences to the family. Sincerely, -Alan Libby
My sincerest condolences. Mike was a wonderful person. He always had a smile and kind words for everyone. I've known Mike since 1993 when I worked at Calumet City Post Office and his shop serviced the vehicles and gasoline. I would never go anywhere else for my own vehicle even after I moved to Indiana. He was a good, trustworthy and honest businessman and a terrific friend. He will be terribly missed. The world is a better place for having him being a part of it. God Bless him and his family. -Tris Kowalczyk
Even though your world is dark right now, I pray you will soon be able to see some light in your memories of Mike. With deepest sympathy. -Patricia Jaracz
Our heartfelt sympathies to Peggy, Jennifer, Janet, Michael and their families on the passing of smiling Mike, that’s how we always see him!! Gone too soon!! -Mark and Gail Matusik
To Michael and all of the Grelecki family, my wife Lena and I offer our most sincere condolences on Mike's passing. Besides being a great guy, he was one of the best, most honest and generous mechanics I have ever known. I think of our Indy 500 conversations with a smile on my face 🙂 God bless you all. RIP, Mike. -Joe Woessner
Mike was my mechanic for more than a decade. He took care of my car with pride, providing towing and rides when needed, his service was above and beyond keeping my car in good condition. I was sad when he retired, and I'm even more sad. I'm sending my condolences to the family. -Mike Wolski
He was an amazing person so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family. -Michelle Gerstner
Mr. Grelecki was one of a kind the type of person who just made your day better when you had a chance to talk with him. He always had a smile for everyone. I was “lucky” to have a low tire pressure light on while on Wentworth and he checked my tires out and would never take anything for the free consultation. He soon was the only mechanic I trusted and was probably one of the few honest mechanics left. I always felt he was being honest with me and he always went the extra mile. I am so sad he has left us but glad he got to retire and enjoy that time with his family. He was a sweetie and he will be missed. My condolences to his family. My prayers are with you. -Sue Rosinski
So sorry to hear of mikes passing, I know the family well. Mike a good guy, my condolences to all the family. -Greg Beilfuss
Mike was my hero. Back in 1995 when my first wife was gravely ill, I could not return to my job overseas, and I was living in my mother's house, and I had to quit my job, and my daughter was barely one year old, Mike would "carry" me on the repair bill that I seemed to always have on my dad's old 1976 Chevrolet. He and his wife Peggy were always, ALWAYS so kind to me. My deepest, most sincere sympathy to Michael’s family. -Patrick Owens
Our condolences to the Grelecki family. We can’t say enough nice things about Mike. Great mechanic, great person, great friend, He will truly be missed, -Jim and Kathy Beno
What was not to like about Mike? SAD to say good-bye to such a great guy. GLAD to have known such a great guy. Our sympathies. -Denny & Kathy Halloran
Deepest sympathies to the entire Grelecki family. I, like many other Calumet City residents, took my car to Grelecki's for all my automotive needs. As a mechanic, he had the ability to explain things in a way that you could understand. As a person, he was trustworthy and never talked down to you or made you feel "less than" because you didn't know a think about a car other than where to put the gas. He did his best to give you a fair price as well. I would always stop before heading out of town to have the air in my tires checked and he was always so gracious to do so free of charge. He was so very friendly and always had a smile for everyone. He was genuinely a nice man. I could go on and on, but the truth is, this world could use a lot more Mike Grelecki's. God has surely gotten a wonderful angel. One who lived his life according to Gods teachings and followed the Golden Rule...Treat Everyone the Way You Would Like to Be Treated. May God comfort you and your family at this time of sorrow, and may it somehow bring you comfort to read all the wonderful things people have to say about Mike. -Jill Moranski
My condolences to the Grelecki family. I'm honored to call Mike my dear friend for over 50 years. I cherish my memory of our trip to Florida to visit his brother Tom in 1973, Oh what great memories! Mike was surely one in a million. -Dave Baker
I worked for Mike for 12 years he was the best Boss I ever had he was like a brother to me we had a lot of good laughs I will miss you. - Mike Kekelik
Our condolences for the loss of Mike. He was a staple in the community and positively affected many people's lives. He was a very giving, trustworthy man who loved helping people take care of their automotive issues. He will be missed by many and not forgotten. With much love, The Crnokrak Family, Nick, Cheryl, Danny and Katie.
Mike was one of my favorite people. He was always kind, generous and supportive. He was our families go to for auto repair and trouble-shooting vintage car issues. He always had a smile on his face and an ear when needed. He assured me when my Dad passed away that he would take care of anything my Mom needed with her Jeep and, consoled my broken heart and assured me he prayed for all of us. I will now do the same for the Grelecki family. May the kind words of others and memories comfort you as you grieve.
The world could use more guys like Mike. -Shawnacy Smolinski Yager
