David Charles Irwin

David C. Irwin died peacefully on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at 5:45 PM at his home in South Bend, Indiana surrounded by his son, daughter, and caregiver, Karla Simmons.

David was born November 14, 1929 to William Erle Irwin and Elsie Lucille (Denman) Irwin. He graduated from South Bend John Adams High School in 1947. The Adams yearbook shows David played basketball his sophomore and junior years, track his junior and senior years and football his senior year. David continued his education at the University of Notre Dame, graduating August 10, 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. He was inducted into the United States Army on September 24, 1951. He was transferred to the United States Army Reserve on September 26, 1953 and was Honorably Discharged on September 23, 1959.

On June 18, 1955, he married the love of his life, Merrus Elaine Hoctel. They were married 61 years before she passed away on July 8, 2016.

After the Army, David went to work at Bendix as an engineer in the Wheels and Brake Division. He was laid off in April 1970 and went to work at the South Bend Waste Water Treatment Plant on October 22, 1970. David became licensed where he could run any wastewater treatment plant in the States of Indiana and Michigan (except Detroit). He had an opportunity to return to Bendix and did so in April 1976. He retired from AlliedSignal (who acquired Bendix in 1983) in early 1996. David served as President of the Bendix Management Club of South Bend during 1987-1988. In 1990 he was awarded the Silver Eagle Award and 1992 the Golden Eagle Award in recognition of outstanding and dedicated service for the continued support of the COUNCIL and NMA.

Besides sports, David enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge. He played social bridge with his wife, but in his later years he found a great deal of enjoyment playing competitive bridge at the South Bend Bridge Club. He found it amusing that the South Bend Bridge Club is actually located in Mishawaka, Indiana in the Town and County Shopping Center. David played well enough to obtain the distinction of becoming a Silver Life Master in August 2013.

David never really knew his dad as William Erle died of tuberculosis on January 12, 1939. David’s mom, Elsie Irwin Sowle, passed away on May 19, 1973. An older sister, Patricia “Pat” Grace and an older brother, William “Bill” John Irwin predeceased him along with a niece, Mary C. “Sue” Robinson of Daytona Beach Shores, Florida and a nephew, Bill (Chrism) Kronick of Livonia, Georgia.

David is survived by his son, David John, and his daughter, Stacey Eileen, both of South Bend. Also surviving are his nieces Cindy (Dave) Roussin of Cabot, Arkansas, Laura Kronick of Monument, Colorado, Patti (Bob) Seip of Levittown, Pennsylvania, Becky Reynolds of Monroe Township, New Jersey, Nan Kronick of Zion, Illinois and Janet Kronick of Hyde Park, Massachusetts and nephews Pete (Betina) Irwin of Kettering, Ohio, John Irwin of Parker, Colorado and Harry (Laura Wendorff) Kronick of Platteville, Wisconsin.

There will be a memorial service for David on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Evangel Heights United Methodist Church, 114 N. Ironwood Dr., South Bend, IN 46615. Son, David and daughter, Stacey, will be hosting a luncheon in the church’s Fellowship Hall from 12:15-1:30 PM. They will greet visitors from 1:30-2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask any donations be made in David’s memory to Pet Refuge, Inc., 4626 S. Burnett Dr., South Bend, IN 46614.

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