All Obituaries

Rodger Vernon Nichols, 57, of North Liberty, entered God’s Kingdom on Wednesday, July 08, 2020, surrounded at home by his wife and loving family.   Rodger was born January 3, 1963 in South Bend, Indiana, to John and Marylou (Kring) Nichols. He attended North Liberty High School. Rodger drove dump trucks for over thirty-five years and enjoyed hiring his children and grandchildren to wash them. Rodger enjoyed family functions, fishing, camping, playing drums, listening to old...

Ron D. Jacobs, 84, of Granger, IN, passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Ron was born in Arkansas on September 19,1935 to the late Russie and M. Inez Jacobs. Ron graduated from Hopewell High School in Virginia, class of 1954. He then went on to become a chemical engineer. Ron served his country honorably in the United Stated Air National Guard, where he was a member of the 108th Tactical Fighter Wing stationed in New Jersey. He was then employed by International Paper as the technical...

Isaac David Porogi, 21 years old, passed away at 7:35 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at his home after a courageous battle fighting Osteosarcoma.  Isaac was born on May 12, 1999 in LaPorte and has lived in Walkerton since he was in 5th grade.  He attended North Liberty Elementary School, graduated from John Glenn High School and attended the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne. Isaac is survived by his mother, Nicole “Nikki” Porogi of Walkerton; father, Roy Allen...

Christine M. Mikesell, 68, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 in her home. Christine was born on February 20, 1952, in Dowagiac, MI to the late Charles Wesley and Zetta M. (Ramsey) Moore. Christine was also preceded in death by her daughter, Sandy Loux; sister, Joyce; and brother, David. Christine is survived by her two daughters, Tammy Mikesell and Julie (Jeff) Holderman; grandchildren, Joshua and John Holderman, and James Mikesell; brother, Charles, E. (Patti) Moore; nieces, Holli...

Donald J. Zelasko, 85, of South Bend, IN passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at his home.  He was born on November 23, 1934 in New Carlisle, IN to the late Stazy and Sadie (Wroblewski) Zelasko.   On May 24, 1958 in South Bend, IN, he was united in marriage to Betty Burch Zelasko who survives. Donald is also survived by two daughters, Cheryl (Terry) Trethewey of South Bend, IN and Julie (Ron) Wamser of New Buffalo, MI; five grandchildren, Melissa (Stuart...

Obituary to come. Services will be held privately. Palmer Funeral Homes - West Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Gregory Wilson, 63, of South Bend, IN, was born in Chicago, IL to the union of Farrell T. and Rose (Carothers) Wilson. Gregory attended South Bend Community Schools, graduating with the class of 1975 from LaSalle High School. Gregory was best known for his role in winning the State Championship for track, in the 4x100 relay for LaSalle High School. Greg went on to continue his education at the University of Southern Indiana and later attended Ivy Tech Community College of South Bend, IN,...

John Michael Lawson, 66 years old, passed away unexpectedly at 5:22 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2020 at the Richard Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis.  John was born on April 21, 1954 in South Bend to the late Leroy and Helen (Shafer) Lawson.  He has remained a lifelong resident of South Bend with a passion for Studebakers and flying.  On September 1, 1995 in Granger, John and Cathryn Ann Rosander were finally united in marriage, after meeting when they were in the fifth...

Irene L. (Stopczynski) Szymarek Sienicki, residing in Mishawaka, passed away at 1:20 p.m. Monday, July 6, 2020 at Springer Healthcare, Mishawaka at the age of 95 years old. She was born July 24, 1924 in New Carlisle, Indiana, to the late Enoch and Lottie (Leda) Stopczynski and was a lifetime resident of South Bend.  Irene worked in sales for Gilberts Clothing, South Bend for 34 years. On June 15, 1946 she married Sylvester “Sally” Szymarek who preceded her in death on...

Dennis “Denny” Nimtz, 64, of South Bend, passed away Monday, July 6, 2020 at his residence. Dennis was born May 7, 1956 in South Bend to Emerson and Margaret (Tetzlaff) Nimtz. Denny worked at the Dodge foundry for over 20 years before retiring. He is also enjoyed being outdoors, whether it was boating out on a lake, hunting in the woods, or skiing. Denny loved it all. Along with his mother, Denny is survived by his daughter Sarah Nimtz and her husband Simon Hernandez of South...

Timothy A. Wolfinger, 68, residing in South Bend, Indiana passed away peacefully in his home on Monday July 6, 2020.  He was born on November 21, 1951 in Niles, Michigan to the late Burton and Esther (Christ) Wolfinger, and lived in South Bend for the past 32 years. On February 29, 1988 in South Bend he united in marriage to Debra E. Merrill.  Tim was a 1970 graduate of Brandywine High School and later went on to receive his certificate as a machinist.  Tim worked for many...

Gerold “Gary” Caffery, 66, passed away July 6, 2020 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana with his sister, Yvonne Caffery and sister-in-law, Jamie Sue Zygulski at his bedside.  Gary was preceded in death by his father, Frank L. Caffery; his mother, Olga Frick; his step-father Lawrence Frick; step-brothers Lawrence Frick Jr., Robert Frick and step-sister, Barbara Van Es.  Gary’s father passed away in 1961 leaving him to bear the great responsibility of...

Edward L. Akins, residing in South Bend, passed away at 4:02 p.m. Sunday, July 5, 2020 at Hospice House, South Bend at the age of 90 years old. He was born May 13, 1930 in Old Ridge, Nebraska, a son of the late Lloyd Robert &  Katherine Ida (Wolfe) Akins.  Because his father was a traveling salesman, Ed lived in 21 states during the younger years of his life. He graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1952 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following...

Sunday, July 5, 2020, Lloyd D. Miller, 89, of South Bend, Indiana, living in Greencroft Health Center in Goshen, Indiana, peacefully passed away. On January 25, 1931, Lloyd was born at home, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at 3 1⁄2 pounds, to Daniel D. and Amanda Miller. He was born into an Amish home. When Lloyd was 3 years old, his mother passed away and his father soon-after joined the Mennonite Church. Lloyd attended Hesston College, in Kansas, for two years before finishing at Goshen...

Bhanumati Bhupendrasinh Desai, 81, of Gujarat, India, passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2020 at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend, Indiana. She was born on August 4, 1938 in Bavra, Gujarat to the late Baldevbhai Patel and Mangalaben Patel. Bhanumati was devout in her faith and dedication to her family. As one of the eldest among nine siblings, Bhanumati has long been admired for being relentlessly loyal, incredibly headstrong, and always cheerful. Her spirit remains with us,...

Linda Lou Schake, formerly of Watertown, Wisconsin, at age 69 slipped away to be with her Savior, on July 4, 2020. Linda was born February 13, 1951, in South Bend. Indiana.  She was the only child of Alfred and Margaret Schake.  Linda grew up in South Bend, Indiana and Prospect Heights, Illinois. Linda use to work at the Logan Center in South Bend as a light bulb tester. In l979, Linda was admitted to the Bethesda Lutheran Home main campus in Watertown, Wisconsin.  Linda...

Kathy Jo Knapp, 69 years old, passed away at 10:58 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2020 at her home.  Mrs. Knapp was born on September 19, 1950 in Mishawaka to the late Hugh and Juanita (Thuys) Garman.  She has remained a lifelong resident of South Bend.  On May 9, 1970 in Mishawaka, Kathy Jo and John W. Knapp, Jr. were united in marriage. Along with her loving husband, John, of 50 years, she is survived by their five children, Toby Ann Knapp, John W. (Yvonne Snyder) Knapp, III,...

     Deborah Sue Martin, 60, of South Bend, passed away peacefully and unexpectedly from pancreatic cancer on July 3, 2020, surrounded by family.      Debbie was born in South Bend, to Carl and Janice Romine on July 9, 1959. She graduated from Clay High School in 1977 and spent most of her life working in the dental field. She spent the last 9 years working at Afdent Dental, in Mishawaka. On July 3, 1986, she met the love of her life, Robert Martin,...

Marc A. Senesac, 69, passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, July 3, 2020.  Marc was born in Kankakee, Illinois to Lionel L. Senesac and Maxine F. (Hays) Senesac, both of whom preceded him in death. Marc’s sisters, Laura J. (Senesac) Schellinger and Carol Louise Senesac, also preceded him in death. Marc is survived by his brother L. Michael (Patty) Senesac, Sr. of South Bend; two sisters, Colette M. (Matt) Magor of South Bend and Liz (Chip) Gaver of Granger; nine nieces and...

Irene Sadural passed away on July 3rd in Walkerton, In. Irene was born on June 29th, 1920, to George and Mary Kalafat, and was a lifelong resident of South Bend. While Irene was waitressing at a downtown diner, she met Manuel Sadural, a recent army veteran and newly hired police officer. Manuel quickly became a “regular” at the diner, eventually winning Irene's heart. They were married on April 30, 1946, and spent the next 57 years together, until Manuel's death in 2002....