St. Joseph Funeral Home

Mark Andrew Brant, 55, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 06, 2024. Mark was born on February 25, 1969 in South Bend, to John Dean and Angela M. (Swiatowy) Brant. He was preceded in death by his mother, Angela. Left to cherish the memory of Mark is the love of his life, Megan C. LaFollette and their Fur Baby, Pete; his father, John Brant; siblings, Maureen (Dan) Wozniak, Aaron (Renee) Brant, Adrienne (Tom) Simpson, Corinne (Jeff) Rose; father-in-law, Michael (Patricia) LaFollette; and sister-in-law, Michaele (Nathaniel) Heffner. Mark graduated from Marion High School in 1987, then went on to earn his Bachelor Degree from IUSB. He taught for the South Bend School Corporation...

Paula Sue Garcia, 66 years old, passed away on February 5, 2023 surrounded by her family. Paula was born on September 8, 1956 in Sumter, South Carolina to Vernal Robert and Elba lee (Williams) Ness. Paula is preceded in death by her father, Vernal R. Ness Sr. and brother, Vernal "Bobby" Ness Jr. Left to cherish the memory of Paula are her children Pablo Garcia Jr., Antonio (Melissa D.) Garcia, Jose Miguel (Lilia) Garcia, and Dallas Garcia; mother, Elba L. Ness; significant other, Pablo Garcia Sr.; grandchildren, Pablo Garcia III, Selena M. Garcia, Amlia H. Garcia, Amyra A. Garcia, and Jose M. Garcia Jr. Paula was a member of the Church of Christ and the Elk Lodge in Rochester, IN where...

Reverend Jan Klimczyk, 67, passed away on August 23, 2022, in South Bend, Indiana. He was born in Kazimierza, Poland, on February 24, 1955. He attended the Papal Theology Academy in Krak?w, Poland and was ordained a Catholic priest on May 17, 1981 in Krak?w. He was proud of the fact that he had been accepted into the seminary by Saint Pope John Paul II, who was at that time, the Archbishop of Krakow. After ten years of various parish pastoral assignments in Poland, Father Klimczyk came to the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend where he engaged in priestly ministry at Saint Adalbert Parish, South Bend, Indiana. In 1994, he incardinated into the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and was given...

Mattie L. Prchlik, 81, passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at StoryPoint Senior Living in Granger, IN, where she had been a resident for three years. She died as a result of a cerebrovascular accident (stroke). Mattie was born December 15, 1940, in Nappanee, IN, to the late Levi J. and Katie P. (Miller) Mast. On June 30, 1962, she married the man who had eyes only for her, Florian C. Prchlik, known by many as "Floyd'' or "Sonny." Floyd and Mattie had one son, Kirt Edward Prchlik. Mattie most loved her roles as wife and mother, always keeping these two close in her heart and at the forefront of her mind. They both preceded her in death, Floyd in 1996 and Kirt in 2020. She is joyously...

Barbara S. King, 69, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away at Story Point Assisted Living in Granger, Indiana on Sunday, March 20th, 2022. She was born in South Bend to Michael and Pauline Bronicki who both preceded her in death. She was a Licensed Practical Nurse until her retirement. She is survived by her daughter, Laura Parish and her brother and sister, Michael Bronicki , Sandy Krzyznowski and Helen Housand. She is also survived by two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jennifer Stuff. In honor of Barbara's wishes there will be no services. St. Joseph Funeral Home, South Bend, assisted the family with the funeral arrangements.

Franklin , Kathryn (Martin), 37, of South Bend, died Saturday; St. Joseph Funeral Home , South Bend

South Bend - David J. Witucki, 85 years old, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. David was born September 16, 1936 in South Bend, to the late Ernest and Mary (Kopczynski) Witucki. Left to cherish the memory of David is the love of his life for 63 years, Carolyn (Gorka) Witucki; along with their children, Mark (Cathy) Witucki, Donna (Kevin) Paczkowski and Janet (Jerry) Scott; grandchildren, Lauren (Mitch) Daugherty, David Witucki, Alexa (Andrew) Tuskey, Daniel Witucki and Benjamin (Sarah) Paczkowski; great grandchild Lucas Daugherty; brother, Ernest (Marsha) Witucki, Jr., sister, Joyce Buhler and sister-in-law Monika (James) Witucki. He was preceded in death by his...

South Bend - Susan (Sue) Elizabeth (Carr) Lopinski, 76 years old, passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Wellbrooke Nursing Facility in South Bend. Susan was born December 28, 1945 in South Bend to the late Edward and Anne (Nicol) Carr. Sue graduated from the South Bend Central High School. Left to cherish the memory of Susan is her loving husband, Leonard Lopinski of 46 years, he dearly loved his Suszi Q. Sue is also survived by her son, Anthony (Mary Ann) Vargo; grandson, Nathan Vargo; several grand puppies and sister, Nancy (Robert) Raymond and nephew, John (Julie) Raymond. Sue always said that family is first, and that her family met the world to her. Sue adored her only grandson...

South Bend - Santiago Bentley Hernandez, 6, passed away Saturday, January 29, 2022. Santiago was born on October 23, 2015, in South Bend to Gerald and Paulita (Jenks) Hernandez. Left to cherish the memory of Santiago are his parents, Paulita Hernandez & Gerald (Sara) Hernandez; sisters, Lyric Martinez, Kiana Hernandez, Santana Hernandez; brother, Ramiro; grandmothers, Angeles Arriaga, and Carolyn (Dennis) Weber; grandfather, Florencio Hernandez; step-brothers, Levi Thompson and Royce Thompson and step-sister, Ava Thompson. He is preceded in death by his brother, Santino Brandon Hernandez. Santiago attended My Little World Day Care, Monroe Elementary School and Studebaker School. He...

Kedik, Richard , 53, of South Bend , died Friday; St. Joseph Funeral Home , South Bend

Kathleen M. Machowiak, 82, of West Washington Street, South Bend, passed away at Memorial Hospital following an illness. She was born August 16, 1939 in South Bend to Stanley and Marie Wesolowski who both preceded her in death along with two of her brothers, Ronald and Robert Wesolowski. Also preceding her in death was her grandson, Ricky Scott and her husband, Ervin Machowiak. Kathleen is survived by her sons, Brian (Lisa) Machowiak and John (Sue) Machowiak, her two daughters, Patti Scott and Jayne ( Steve )Smith. Her brother, Lawrence (Velda) Wesolowski and her sister, Cyndi (Jerry) Cyrier. Her grandchildren: Randy(Natasha) Scott, Shelby(Josh) Lichnerowicz, Devin(Ryan) Noyes, April...

Janice S Jennings of South Bend, Indiana, passed away at her residence, on Friday, January 28th, 2022. She was born in Mishawaka, Indiana on November 29th ,1948 to the late James and Eloise Vandygriff. She married Larry Jennings on December 26th, 1970 in Elkhart. He died May 17th, 2018. She is survived by her son, Brian Jennings of South Bend and her brother, Don Vandygriff of Georgia. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, along with two brothers, James Vandygriff Jr. and David Vandygriff. Janice was a health care worker until her retirement. She worked at Golden Living on 12th Street in Mishawaka where she often conducted church services following her husband's...

Shirley A. Grall, 75, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, January 20, 2022. Shirley was born July 5, 1946, in Indiana to the late Benny and Henrietta (Stayback) Ziemkowski. On November 19, 1966, she married Craig (Butch) J. Grall who preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was her brother, Brian Ziemkowski. Left to cherish the memory of Shirley are her children, Regina (Tim O'Connell) Kring, Mark J. Grall; sister-in-law, Cynthia (Paul) Means of Valparaiso, IN; brother-in-law, Tim (Ruth) Grall of Columbia City, IN; nephews, Eric (Carmen) Means, Phillip (Kathy) Means, Daniel Grall; cousin, Claudia Sprovtsoff; and very close friend and neighbor, Candy (Ron) Carriveau. Shirley was...

Ramona M. Reaves, 93, passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2022. Mona was born September 22, 1928, in Laporte, Indiana, to the late Harold and Lorine (Mills) Warwick. The Warwick family moved to South Bend in 1939, where Mona resided the remainder of her life. Mona graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1946. She married Marvin Reaves in 1947, and they had a daughter, Tamara (Reaves) Young in 1948. Mona shared a special bond with her sisters Julia and Pat. Mona and Julia both married into the Reaves family, with Mona marrying Marv and Julia marrying his brother Tom. The three sisters had a passion for antiques, and they opened an antique shop in the Thieves Market in the 1980s....

Esther M. Szabo, 98, passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022. Esther was born August 16, 1923 in South Bend to the late John and Josephine Springer. She married Julius Szabo, and he preceded her in death on March 2, 2021. Also preceding her in death is her daughter in-law Laurie Chimel. Left to cherish the memory of Esther are her children, David Chimel, Paul Schimel; grandchildren, Todd (Heidi) Chimel, Jamie Chimel, Brody Schimel; great-grandchildren, Sara Chimel, Corrine Chimel. Esther was a parishioner of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was a member of the Women's Auxiliary, and the Seniors at St. Casimir. Esther enjoyed golfing, and she one two trophies in dancing. She enjoyed...

Patricia A. (Steiner) Laskowski, 89, passed away on Thursday Jan. 13, 2022, at Hamilton Grove in New Carlisle after a long illness. Patricia was born in South Bend on April 28, 1932, to the late Harriet (Szymanski) and Joseph Steiner. She lived in South Bend her entire life, graduating from South Bend Catholic High School and working at Bendix, Studebaker and the Telephone Answering Service. She could type faster than the "Army's fastest typist" (aka her husband). Patricia married the love of her life, Donald A. Laskowski, on Sept. 14, 1957. They had grown up together in the same "old neighborhood" in the shadows of the Oliver factory on South Bend's west side. They attended the same...

- Michael Anthony Espinoza, 46, passed away on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. Michael was born December 27, 1975 in East Chicago, to Luis & Marie E. (Pena) Espinoza. Michael is survived by his four lovely boys, Michael Jr., Lawrence Adair, Arthur George, and Isaac, his sister, Melissa, and two brothers, Luis Jr. and Edward, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. His warm smile and infectious laugh will be missed by those that knew him. Visitation for Michael will be 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Saturday, January 22, 2022 in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Rd. with a Funeral Service to begin at 3:00 pm in the Funeral Home Chapel. Memorial Contributions may...

Sandra M. Wesolowski, 75, passed away on Monday, January 10, 2022. Sandra was born November 17, 1946 in South Bend, to the late Benedict and Evelyn Szczechowski. Left to cherish the memory of Sandra is her son, Daren (Dawn) Wesolowski; Grandson, Dustyn Wesolowski; sisters, Geraldine (Truman) Nordhagen & Patricia Smolka. Sandy was a parishioner at Holy Family Catholic Church. She was an avid bingo player and she always said her family was her greatest accomplishment. ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Rd. is assisting the family. Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net.

South Bend - Marie D. Dabrowiak, 95, passed away Sunday, January 9, 2022 in Country Care West. Marie was born April 30, 1926 in Chicago to the late William and Cecelia (Grabowski) Bender. On May 3, 1947, Marie married her loving husband, Raymond Dabrowiak, he preceded her in death on January 4, 1992. Left to cherish the memory of Marie are her children, Gregory (Dorothy) Dabrowiak, Deborah Nyikos, and Gail Shuamber; grandchildren, Christian (Jennifer) Nyikos, Kathryn (Daniel) Johnson, Derek (Tracy) Dabrowiak; great- grandchildren, Brittany, Alexis, Megan, Decker, Kennedy, Brooks; and several Nieces and Nephews. Marie was a parishioner of St. Augustine Catholic Church and formerly of...

South Bend - Roselea Wildrick , 85 , peacefully passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022. Roselea was born in Worthington, Indiana on November 25, 1936 to the late Orville and Stella (Reece) Cahall. On June 1, 1979 Roselea married her loving husband John Wildrick, he preceded her in death on April 14, 2016. Roselea is also preceded in death by brothers, Ted Cahall and Walter Cahall. Left to cherish the memory of Roselea are her children, Carmen Farley Barnes, Wade Farley, Cathy (George) Farley-Matheis, Tony (Elena) Wildrick, Lori (Dan) Nisley, Jim Wildrick, David (Gloria) Wildrick; grandchildren, April Shreve, Dana Woods, Fred Barnes, Jr., Ryan Wildrick, Jennifer Wildrick, Nichole...

Loving mother and grandmother, Shirley Burkus, passed away on January 7, 2022. Shirley was 92 and left us to meet her Lord and Savior after living a long and full life. She was born to Henry and Louise (Hecklinski) Witkowski on April 3, 1929 in South Bend, IN. She graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in 1946 and went on to attend the Michiana College of Commerce. She married the love of her life, John Louis Burkus, on July 9, 1949 and together they raised three daughters in the South Bend community. She was an active member of St. Casimir's Parish and worked as an Administrative Assistant to the General Counsel at the University of Notre Dame, retiring in 1995. Her love of Notre Dame...