John "Jack" Luke D.D.S.

In the wee hours of the morning on Wednesday September 18th, 2019 John “Jack” Luke was united in heaven with his parents, Leon and Jeanette Kosinski Luke, and siblings Florence McElheron, Elsie Luke, and Leon V Luke.
  Jack was born on October 17th, 1927 in Mount Clemens, Michigan. His father’s family emigrated from Russia and started a Polish newspaper in Detroit, where he met Jeanette. He attended Mount Clemens High school. Many who knew Jack did not know that he finished High School in a sanitarium recovering from tuberculosis. Jack attended his revered Michigan State University, earning a BS in genetics. Jack then went on to U of D (University of Detroit) Dental School where he completed a Doctorate in Dentistry and met Celestine “Cel” Blondell Krumholz, who was studying dental hygiene and would become his wife of 64 years. 
       His 37-year dental career commenced and ended In East Lansing Michigan, (for many years in partnership with his brother, Leon), where he made a lasting impression on his patients. Patients enjoyed Dr. Jack’s witty humor and smiling face. He would talk about the fact that no one wants to go to the dentist so he would try to make the experience as pleasant and humorous as possible. There are individuals who grew up in East Lansing that believed that “Squate’ Vous” was actually part of the French language, and those that were children at the time thought that a “Picklepuss” was the name a dentist always called you. Jack was active at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic parish, as an usher and even chaired the school carnival.
     After retiring from Dentistry in 1986, Jack and Cel moved to their home on Sanibel Island, Florida. Jack pursued a second career in Real estate sales, which gave him the opportunity to employ his gift for gab and earn some extra spending cash. He often drove around the Island in his convertible Corvette as long as the weather was perfect, and it didn’t mess up his hair too much. Jack enjoyed boating and fishing around Sanibel as well as socializing with many friends, especially pot-luck suppers at St. Isabel. A cold Vodka Tonic in the swimming pool was a late afternoon favorite after spreading the never-ending pile of wood chips around their beautiful property. In his later years he made sure to watch all the Michigan State sporting events, and he was the taxi service for Cel’s orchid, bonsai, and master gardener activities.
 Jack was a sensitive and caring Husband, Father and Grandfather. He is survived by his Wife Celestine, his 4 children, Diana (Steve) Day, John (Beatrice) Luke, James Luke, Richard Luke and 2 special daughters, Anne Luke and Cristina Luke who he loved deeply. He is also survived by 10 Grandchildren (also known as Picklepuss 1 through 10) Jennifer, Julia, Cassandra, Jaclyn, Nicole, Brody, Jimmy, Casey, Samantha, and last but not least Jessica. Jack was also blessed to have 2 great grandsons, Justin and Jason. He is also survived by many dear nieces, nephews, and in-laws in the McElheron, Luke, English, and Bejin families.
Jack’s famous quip’s, “Keep your Nose Clean”, “So I Took The $900,000”, his repetitive singing of “Dear Old Girl” and his elite concert whistling talents will be remembered by many. He leaves behind his valuable knick-knack collection, several dark chocolate candy bars hidden in the refrigerator door and his favorite iPad. He was a brilliant man who was forever young at heart, and eager to continually learn. Everyone he met immediately became a treasured friend, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Please celebrate the life of this great man, humble through great success and a legacy of integrity.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 11:00AM at St. Isabel Catholic Church on Sanibel Island. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to either St. Isabel Church 3559 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957; or to the National MS Association www.nationalmssociety.org
 

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