All Obituaries

Esther Stanton April 1, 1933 – January 21, 2022 Esther Stanton, 88, passed away on Friday, January 21, 2022, at home surrounded by her children.  Esther was born on April 1, 1933, in Niles, Michigan to the late Elias and Dorothy Runyan.  She was raised by her parents and went to school in Niles.  On August 2, 1952, she married Richard Stanton and moved to South Bend.  Richard, her loving husband of 67 years, preceded her in death on January 20, 2019.  Esther...

Steve Matthew Ciszczon, 93, of Mishawaka, IN passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2022. He was born on May 29, 1928 in Mishawaka to Jozef and Anna (Knutelski) Ciszczon. On September 10, 1955 he married Rose Anne Potasnik, who proceeded him in death in 2019. Steve is survived by his son, Chris (Cathryn Clark) Ciszczon of Ada, MI; his daughter, Cindy (John) Barth of Birmingham, AL; 5 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters; and 3 brothers. He is preceded in death by his wife, Rose;...

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Essie Faye Belcher, of Mishawaka, Indiana, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2022 surrounded by her family after battling Alzheimer’s Disease. She was 89 years, 4 months and 14 days. Essie was born September 5, 1932 in Wayne County, Tennessee to the late J.V. and Edna (Perry) Frazier, who both preceded her in death. She was born the 6th child into a family of 12 children. Her dad said they were cheaper by the dozen. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Noah...

Roy Lewis Hafner, a long time South Bend resident, passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.  He was 99 years old. Mr. Hafner was born on June 3, 1922 to Norman and Irma (Gleckner) Hafner in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. On May 30, 1947, he married Mary Lou Thomasma in Bloomington, Indiana.  Mary was the love of his life. His beloved wife of 50 years and 9 months preceded him in death.  Roy is survived by his daughter, Tondra Jill Hafner of Granger, IN; his brother, David Hafner of...

Diane Irene Foresman, 70 years old, passed away at 1:10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend.  Diane was born on August 7, 1951 in South Bend to the late Edward and Delores (Ciesielski) Pinkowski.  She was raised in South Bend, was a graduate of LaSalle High School, and has lived the remainder of her life in North Liberty.  On February 2, 1979 in LaPorte, Diane and Alan Ray Foresman were united in marriage.  Her husband recently preceded...

  Mary Louise “Lou” Pasternak, 88, of Niles Passed away Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Peacefully in her sons arms.  Mary was born on December 22, 1933 in Danville, IL to the late Elza and Helen Leopard. She was also preceded in death by her sister Martha Eastes. On July 22, 1965, Lou married Leon George Pasternak in Lakeland Florida. He preceded her in death on June 25, 1972.  They had two son’s who survive Brian L. Pasternak and Bradley J. Pasternak. Lou was...

“I’ve had a great life.”  That is what Jack Allinger said in August 2021 when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer.  And he did, indeed, live a great life.   Jack passed away on January 18, 2022. Jack was born on April 16, 1930, to Lucille (Andrews) Allinger and George Allinger, Sr., and along with his sister Esther grew up in River Park.  He attended St. Monica’s grade school and Central Catholic High School.  Jack met the love...

Thomas D. Yoder of Edwardsburg, MI., passed away at 5:13 p.m. Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at the age of 76. Tom was born on May 20, 1945, in Phoenix, AZ., to Lamar and Sara (Frick) Yoder. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Anita Yoder. Tom was married to the love of his life, Jackie K. Daniel, for 55 years. Jackie survives along with their children, Chris (Amy) Yoder of Lowell, MI, and Debra (Greg) Kraska of Edwardsburg, MI; two grandchildren, John Kraska and Charlotte...

Arlene E. Schrader, 91, a lifelong resident of Saint Joseph County, Indiana, passed away on January 18, 2022, at the Center for Hospice Care in Mishawaka, IN, surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her sister, June Nowacki; her children, David (Pamela) Schrader and Cynthia (Rob) Wojtkowski; grandchildren, Sarah (David) Wilkinson, Jacqueline (Nicholas) Busch, Christopher (Kari) James, John Schrader, and Lauren (fiancé Braxton Freet) Wojtkowski; and her great-grandchildren,...

Paula Ann Madden, 73, of Mishawaka, IN passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. She was born on November 7, 1948 in Bedford, IN to the late Paul and Mabel (McCatherne) Madden. Paula is survived by her son, Paul Madden of Edwardsburg, MI; her daughter, Marylee Robinson of Mishawaka, IN; her grandchildren, Joshua Madden, Conner Miller, Paul Hilkey, Carmen Robinson, James Madden, and Aaron Miller; and her sister, Debbie Frazier of Elkhart, IN. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul...

Mary Lou Henry, 84 years old, passed away at 9:08 p.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Hospice House, Mishawaka.  Mrs. Henry was born on May 13, 1937, in South Bend to the late Raymond and Violet (Haas) Rhoade of Bremen.  She happily left farm life when she married James King (1958-1986) and remained a lifelong area resident of Mishawaka.  On July 30, 1988, she married the love of her life, Allan Arthur Henry who preceded in death on May 14, 2017.  Mrs. Henry worked in...

Robert J. Krege, of South Bend, IN passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022 at the age of 80. He was born on July 4, 1941 in LaPorte, IN to the late Paul and Bernice (Ribordy) Krege. In 1961, Bob married Barbara Hawkins, who preceded him in death in 1998. In his early 20’s, Bob worked for Ball Band, where he miraculously survived a chemical explosion, which left 75% of his body burned. Bob also worked as a truck driver in the RV industry. Bob had a gift for gab, and he never met a...

Al Z. “Sonny” Byler, 76, residing in South Bend, Indiana passed away peacefully Monday, January 17, 2022 at Raclin Hospice House, Mishawaka, Indiana. Sonny spent his final days surrounded by loving family before losing a hard fought year long battle with cancer.  Mr. Byler was born October 1, 1945 in Mishawaka, Indiana to Al S. Byler and Zelma Mae (Banning) Byler, who both preceded him in death. Sonny is survived by his seven children, Kimberly Fuchs of South Bend,...

John Harry Snyder, Sr., 81, of Osceola, passed on to his great reward, and into the loving arms of his savior on Monday, January 17, 2022.  He is reunited with the love of his life, Shirley, who passed away less than four months ago, on the day of their 60th wedding anniversary. John was born on May 19, 1940 in South Bend, where he resided for most of his life. He married Shirley Ann Bucher on September 23, 1961. John was known wherever he went for his easy-going personality and his...

Norma J. Ladyga, 79, of Mishawaka, IN, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 17, 2022 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Hospital Emergency Room. Norma was born on August 24, 1942 in Mishawaka to Warren and Pearl (Werner) Ackenhusen, who both have preceded her in death. Norma is survived by her sister, Sharon Whitfield of Mishawaka, IN; her children, Renee (Jeff) Lawler of Granger, IN, Robyn Weglowski and fiancé (Philip Lattrez) of  Mishawaka, IN, and Richard...

Eileen T. Viduka, 75, residing in Mishawaka, Indiana passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022. She was born on November 19, 1946 in South Bend, Indiana to Glenn Zubler and Patricia (Lidecker) Zubler. On June 1, 1968, in South Bend, Eileen was united in marriage to Allen G. Viduka, who survives. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Randy Viduka, Sr. of Mishawaka; her grandchild, Randy Viduka, Jr.; her two great-grandchildren, Elijah and Lincoln Viduka of Mishawaka; her...

Walter Owen Bowers, 93, passed away after an illness on Monday, January 17, 2022, in Memorial Hospital. Walter is survived by a longtime companion, Lorraine Shuey; and his children, Gary (Julie) Bowers of Warsaw, IN, Becky Reynolds of Mishawaka, IN, Linda (Michael) Cole of Plymouth, IN, Darla Bowers of South Bend, IN and Donna (Brad) Boe of Kenosha, WI. He had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Walter was married to Doris C. (Sherman) Bowers on...

Jean Inglefield Gates, long time South Bend resident, passed away on January 16. Jean was the loving wife of Van E. Gates and sister of Joanne Schaller, Knoxville, TN.  She was also the mother of four children, including Larry Gates (Jan) and Bonnie Shaffer (Harry) of Cassopolis, MI.; William Gates (Susan) of South Bend; and Katherine Miller (Douglas) of Reisterstown, Maryland.  She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, and two great great...

Darrell W. Derickson, 65 years old, passed away at 5:50 a.m. on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at his home.  Darrell was born on October 26, 1956 in Decatur, IN to the late Alvin Lee and Verla Faye (Smith) Derickson.  He has been a lifelong area resident.  Darrell was a truck driver for 14 years and was formerly employed at Auto Value, Goodwill and Global Fiberglass in Elkhart. Darrell is survived by his wife, Charlotte M. Derickson; daughter, Jasmine Derickson of South Bend; son,...