Stephen A. Uvardy

Stephen  Alexander  Uvardy,  99,  moved to his heavenly home on March 1, 2015 passing at the Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI.  Steve had moved recently from South Bend, IN where he had lived many years.

Stephen  was  born to Joseph  Udvardi  and Anna  Pajor-Udvardi, on September 2, 1915 in Elkhart, IN. His parents had immigrated from Hungary a few years earlier. After graduating from high school Steve  moved to West Chicago, Ill where he  managed two movie theatres, the Roxy and Wheaton.  At the start of WWII he moved his wife and daughter to South Bend waiting to be drafted.  He began  working for the US. Rubber Co. (Ball Band) at their Mishawaka plant in war related work where he spent 35+years at the Mishawaka plant rising to Director of Purchasing. He contributed to many development projects which were  commercialized  and wartime products such as fuel cells for airplanes retiring in 1978. Steve enjoyed his 99 years fully being active in many different sports, softball, golf, and bowling. Always bringing his daughters to watch him play softball he excelled as both a pitcher and first baseman. Golf was both a passion and a hobby and he proudly claimed a “hole in one” twice.   A lover of the Chicago Cubs Baseball team he was one of the oldest card carrying members and he proudly displayed his membership card. He always believed that the Cubs would win the World Series Next Year.  In 1979 Steve gave his heart to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ which he said was his secret to his long life of 99 years. He told everyone he met about his experience.

He  married  Leatrice  Nelson and they recently celebrated their 35th anniversary .  Steve is survived by his wife,  Leatrice.   Also surviving are daughters  Judith E. (Uvardy) Ross;  Sue E. (Uvardy) Brown;  Karen (Nelson) Nutty and Lianne (Nelson) Prange.  Steve loved his many many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.  Steve  was  preceded in death by his parents, a brother and sister.

Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 6, at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 59220 Bremen Hwy, Mishawaka, IN, where the family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time.  Pastor Mark Black will officiate. Cremation rites will be accorded, and his final resting place will be at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend.

Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Mr. Uvardy may be offered to Hillcrest Baptist Church.  Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. The Palmer Funeral Homes-Guisinger Chapel, South Bend is assisting the family with arrangements. 

 Service Information