Peter Kozar

KOZAR, Peter
of Kalamazoo Peter Kozar, 90 of Kalamazoo passed away Friday, June 11, 2010 at the Veterans Affairs in Battle Creek. Born, May 5, 1920 in Gary, Indiana to George and Clara Suljak Kozar. Peter grew up in Portage Township on a farm, he joined the Marines in 1945 were he served as a sea-going Marine aboard the battleship U.S.S. Idaho. The U.S.S. Idaho took part in the battle for Iwo Jima and Okinawa, where he witnessed the surrender of Japan in Tokyo Bay through a telescope, along with the raising of the flags on Iwo Jima. He was instrumental in shooting down a Japanese Zero that was on a suicide mission to take out the U.S.S. Idaho, which he received a bronze star for. Peter excelled as a sheet metal draftsman and lay-out man. He retired from Allied Mechanical Services after 30 years of service. He enjoyed wood carving, drafting, and sharpening knives and blades during his spare time. Peter was an excellent story teller, including many from his time serving during WW II. He was united in marriage to former Helen Hecker for 25 years. Surviving are sister Ann Miles, sister-in-law Gladys Kozar, along with many nieces and nephews, including great and great great. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen, also by brothers, George, Mike, Bill Willie Kozar, and sister Kate Gorbutt. Family will greet friends on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8:00 o'clock at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street, where services will take place on Tuesday at 1:00 o'clock, Pastor David Ives, officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Hospice Care of SW Michigan.