South Bend Tribune

Daniel Bernard "Dan" Cavanaugh, 81, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 12, 2024, at his home. He was born on February 7, 1943, in Michigan City, IN, to the late Bernard and Margaret (Carbury) Cavanaugh. Dan is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Donna; children, Brian and Julie; 3 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a loving host of extended family and friends. In addition to his parents, Dan was preceded in death by his two brothers and two sisters. In accordance with Dan's wishes, cremation has been chosen. Services for Dan will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 411 W Vistula St, Bristol, IN 46507,...

Shirley Showalter, 90, passed away at home on Friday, April 12. She was born January 28, 1934 in Mishawaka to Edgar and Elsie (Foeckler) Schweisberger. On March 23, 1952, she married her high school sweetheart, H. Dale Showalter. He died October 16, 2006. Shirley is survived by four children, Pamela (Lee Barker) Showalter, Elkhart, Jeffrey (Paula) Showalter, Syracuse, Patricia Kaska, Mishawaka and Paula (Vince Doyle) Stanage, Goshen; five grandchildren, Cory (Jessica) Showalter, Zionsville, Timothy (Susan) Showalter, Austin, TX, Broc (Megan) Stanage, Noblesville, Jonathon (Sara) Showalter, Brownsburg and Tyler (Anabel Guedan) Stanage, London, England. Also surviving are nine...

Lillie Pearl, or "Pearl" to those who knew and loved her, passed away on April 11, 2024, at the age of 83. She was a woman with a great sense of humor and a whole lot of love to give. Pearl's life was a beautiful blend of dedication to God, her children, and always striving to be a better person. Born on January 19, 1941 to Mary Lewis and later adopted by her stepfather, Robert Lewis, Pearl's journey began in Sardis, Mississippi (where she was regularly complimented for her singing and choir-directing talents at Shiloh Church) and took her to South Bend, IN, where she lived with her eldest sister Claudia and attended Washington High School. Her spiritual path was as important to her as her...

Joan Japa Vujovich January 20, 1929 - April 10, 2024 Charlotte, North Carolina - Joan Vujovich, age 95, of Charlotte, North Carolina passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2024. Joan was born January 20, 1929 in South Bend, Indiana to George and Borka Japa, from the former Yugoslavia. She was the oldest of 3 children, brother John of South Bend and Darlene Heithaus of Chesterfield, Mo. She was preceded in death by her husband Stephen (Steve), daughter Patricia (Patty) as well as her parents. Joan graduated from Riley High School, So. Bend, Ind. Her love of music played a major role from high school glee club, studying Opera in Chicago and singing in choir at Saints Peter and Paul Serbian...

Carol Bisarek Thackray was born in Livingston, Wisconsin on January 4, 1933, to Michael and Mary Bisarek. She grew up on farms of the rolling hills of Southwestern Wisconsin with her nine siblings. She attended rural schools, grades 1-8, then graduated from Cobb High School in 1950 and was employed in Madison, Wisconsin for several years. In 1955 she entered Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Madison, graduating in 1958. In December 1958 she and David Thackray of Waupun, Wisconsin were married. They moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where David completed the University of Minnesota Dental School and Carol worked as a nurse at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. In 1960 they settled...

Alfred "Bob" Vicsik, 87, of The Villages, FL, passed away peacefully in Hospice house on April 6th, 2024. He was born and raised in South Bend, IN, where he owned and operated his own commercial flooring business, Interior Finishes until he retired in 1996, and moved to Florida with his wife. He married Karen in January of 1988, and spent 36 beautiful years with the love of his life. He was a loving husband, who always put his wife's needs before his own. Throughout his retirement years he loved to play Bocce ball, Shuffleboard, and cards. He enjoyed his friends and family whenever they would visit. He had a very funny sense of humor that was enjoyed by all who loved him. He was preceeded in...

Mary Jean Neddeau, 76 years old of Edwardsburg, passed to her rest April 5, 2024 at her home after an illness. She was born April 9, 1947 in Edwardsburg the daughter of Henry and Ann (Mochour) Dryer and has lived here all her life. Mary was married June 26, 1965 in Edwardsburg to Dale P. Neddeau and he survivess with their children, April Neddeau of Edwardsburg and Mark Neddeau of Elkhart, and a sister Charlene (Londis) Carpenter of Edwardsburg. Family and friends may call on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, 26863 West Main Street, Edwardsburg. In lieu of flowers, she requested that Memorial Donation be directed to Adult and Teen Challange of...

Debra Ann (Black) Johnson, 67, of Warsaw, passed away surrounded by family on April 5, 2024 at Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne. Deb was born on January 19, 1957, in Warsaw, Indiana, and graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 1975. She was a hardworking member of the Warsaw High School Band, in which she won multiple awards for clarinet. She was married to Alan G. Johnson on January 4, 1976, and they shared 48 loving years together. She attended Ivy Tech Community College to obtain her Certified Dietary Manager certification. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Warsaw. Throughout her life she worked at Murphy Medical Center, Top of the Inn restaurant, L.M. Berry,...

Janice M. "Jan" Berberick, 70, of Niles MI, passed away on Tues., April 2, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Fri., April 19, at 2 PM at Swem Chapel, 301 W. Front St., Buchanan, MI with Pastor Matthew Hickok officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 12 PM until the time of the service at the funeral home. A private burial will be held at a later date at Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville. Memorial contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.swemchapel.com.

James M. Petro III. It is with great sadness that the family of James M. Petro III, announce his passing on April 2, 2024 after a long battle with cancer, with those he loved at his side. He was born in Manchester, NH on March 7, 1994. Family members include his parents Jim and Patti (Gleason) Petro; his sister, Grace Petro, and her fianc?e, Nathan Kimball; his best friend and love of his life, Maria Landi; his paternal grandparents, Jim and Jackie Petro; his dog Theo; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. James was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Frederick and Virginia Gleason. James spent his early years in Manchester, NH. In 2000, the family relocated to Maryland, where...

Janice M. "Jan" Berberick, 70, of Niles MI, passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 19, at 2 PM at Swem Chapel, 301 W. Front St., Buchanan, MI with Pastor Matthew Hickok officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 12 PM until the time of the service at the funeral home. A private burial will be held at a later date at Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville. Memorial contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.swemchapel.com. Janice was born on August 27, 1953, in St. Joseph, MI, to John &...

Nichole Elizabeth Nelson died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 48 on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Three Rivers, MI. Nicky was born August 6, 1975 in Allegan, MI. She was four-years old when she and her brother, Clayton (age two at the time) were adopted by Larry and Nickola Nelson in Edwardsburg, MI. Nicky was preceded in death by her father, Larry R. Nelson and brother, Clayton L. Nelson. She is survived by her seven children, Jessica Lynn Maurer (Michael) of Cassopolis, Justin Leroy Tighe of Edwardsburg, Jess Treiber, Jr. of Three Rivers, Jonathan Hufford of Cassopolis; and Julie, Jaden and Josie Hufford of White Pigeon (all in Michigan). She is also survived by her mother, Nickola...

Services for Yvonne Wright will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 12 noon. Friends are welcome to visit the family at Greater Saint John MBC one hour prior. Full obituary may be viewed at alfordsmortuaryinc.com

A Celebration of Life Wednesday April 10th 2024, Viewing 10:30 AM Service at 11:30 AM at Antioch Glory Center 2437 Miracle LN Mishawaka, IN 46545. Burial Highland Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to www.boydandsonfuneralhome.com where condolences may be shared.

Richard Curtis Atkinson, 83, of Dowagiac, MI, passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024. Richard was born on August 26, 1940, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Burton and Virginia (Rittenhouse) Atkinson. He graduated from Dubuque High School in 1958 and moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with his family in the early 1960s, where he worked as a cabinet maker. Richard met his future wife, Audrey Bruce, at the 1963 Calgary Stampede. A few months later, Richard received his United States Army draft notice. As a resident of Canada at the time, Richard had to leave Audrey behind and return to the U.S. Richard was drafted in October 1963 and completed his basic training in Fort Gordon, Georgia, before returning...

Michael Robert Ferris, 74, of Buchanan, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Mike was born on August 16, 1949, in Niles, to Robert and Martha (Young) Ferris. He lived in Buchanan all of his life and graduated from Buchanan High School with the class of 1969. That fall, Mike was drafted into the United States Marine Corps, serving two years in Camp Pendleton, California, and Okinawa. While at Camp Pendleton, Mike also served as a firefighter on the Camp Pendleton Fire Department. Upon his discharge from the Marines in 1971, Mike returned to Buchanan and volunteered with the Bertrand Township Fire Department, where he would serve for 25 years. Mike married Janice 'Jan'...

Paul R. Arsenault, 93, of Niles, MI, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024, at his home. A memorial celebration of life will be held at a later date. A private burial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, IL. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swem Chapel & Cremation Services. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.swemchapel.com. Paul was born on December 30, 1930, in Escanaba, MI, to Peter, Sr. & Harriett Arsenault. Paul graduated from Munising High School in 1948 and following his graduation he proudly enlisted in the United States Navy from 1948 until 1952. Upon his return home he continued his education by attending Michigan Technology...

Mark Edward Westfall, 64 years old of Niles and Edwardsburg, passed to his rest March 19, 2024 at Riveridge in Niles after a brief illness. He was born November 14, 1959 in Niles, the son of Earl and Edith (Maxey) Westfall. Mark grew up in the rural Edwardsburg area, graduating from Edwardsburg High School. His work continued at the Edwardsburg Schools in transportation. Mark was married May 5, 1979 in the Edwardsburg Church of God to Erma Lee Shorter and she passed Aug. 24, 2016. Surviving are two daughters, Mary Ellen Johnson of Springfield,IL and Sarah Louise (Gabe) Hein of Niles and a step-son James David McCoy of Cassopolis. There are four grandchildren; Benjamin and Charles McCoy,...

Ruthie Mai Mincy, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and auntie, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on Monday, March 18, 2024, surrounded by her family. Ruth was born to James and Elizabeth Parker in Henning, Tennessee on November 6,1932. After graduating high school, she moved to South Bend, IN where she met and married her loving husband, Gatson Mincy, who preceded her in death. Ruth was a faithful member of Greater New Vision MB Church, Household of Ruth and Indiana Black Expo. She was employed with the SBCSC and later provided a loving and supportive environment for countless children in her home. Her commitment to childcare extended beyond her own family, and she made a lasting...

Mark Anthony Christensen, 68 years old of Edwardsburg, passed to his rest March 18, 2024 at the Timbers of Dowagiac after an illness. He was born Aug. 12, 1955 in Marinette, WS and has lived in the Michiana area the past several years. He retired as a Mail Handler, from the South Bend Main Post Office. He served several years in the Indiana National Guard. Mark was married June 20, 1981 in Grand Rapids to Janis L. Kile and she survives with three children; Jason Mark of Edwardsburg, Kara Lynette (Matthew) Trembley of Mendosa, IL and Joel Michael (Jessica) Christensen of Niles. There are four grandchildren; Emma Nicole, Anna Elizabeth, Elias Alexander and Amelia Renee. Other survivors are...

Richard T. Murphy passed away peacefully the morning of March 17, 2024 at Raclin House at the Center for Hospice Care in Mishawaka after a brief illness. Richard was born July 23, 1938 in Antigo, Wisconsin. Richard lived in Antigo until after he graduated from Antigo High School. He then worked in various parts of the country with McClellan's Dime Stores where he ended up managing the store in Mishawaka. He went on to work at the Uniroyal Plant in Mishawaka until it closed for business and then onto a full career as a Postman at the Edwardsburg Post Office. Richard lived a life of giving to his family, community and his church. If you ever needed a hand Richard was there to lend his time and...