Norman Lee Horvath

Norman Lee Horvath passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, February 23, 2017.  He was born January 19, 1941 to Elizabeth (Kramer) and Joseph Horvath of South Bend, IN.  Norm graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in 1959 and served with the United States Navy on the Destroyer U.S.S. New.

On August 1, 1964 Norm married Eva Feece.  They remained best friends through their six children, thirteen grandchildren, and fifty-two years of marriage.

Norm is survived by;  his sister, Mary (Ray) Platz;  brother, Stephen (Patty) Horvath, as well as, his six beloved children; Craig (Lisa) Horvath of South Bend, Patrick Horvath of Alameda, CA, Eric (Nancy) Horvath of Granger, Kara (Ryan) Tomalia of Carmel, IN, Megan (Michael) Harvey of Granger, IN and Bryan (Jessica) Horvath of Minneapolis, MN.   He also leaves his thirteen  loved and cherished grandchildren; Rockne, Ara, and Sophia Horvath, Tiburon Horvath, Sorin, Brennan, and Ethan Horvath, Nickolas, Victoria and Elizabeth Tomalia,  Gabriel and Isaiah Harvey,  and Joseph Horvath.

Norm served as Eucharistic Minister while a member of Little Flower Catholic Church, a member of the soup kitchen at St. Augustine’s, a Cub Scout leader, soccer coach, and all around cheerleader of all of his children’s pursuits and accomplishments.  Norm spent thirty years working payroll at Bendix Trucking, and after, retiring his career with eleven   years at the University of Notre Dame. One of his favorite jobs at Notre Dame was serving as the football usher with his dear friend, Tom Magers.

Norm was a true servant of God.  He lived his life serving others and making life fun.  He carried the cross of his terminal illness well and taught us how to live and die with grace.   Norm was the “original” recycler. He refused to part with any scrap wood, used lottery tickets, metal, wood or clothes.  He filled his barn with his treasures hoping someone would find a use for them someday.  He never complained about what he didn’t have in life or his barn and made use of everything available to him.  Norm loved to make people laugh. He had a quick wit and an infectious sense of humor.  He always made you see the lighter side of life and reminded us not to take ourselves too seriously.  He could always be found making light of any situation, forcing us all to laugh and smile even in the worst of times. 

Norm was always the optimist.  Whether it be sampling strange and bizarre foods (including a taste of some homemade face wash), betting max at the casino, or scratching the countless lottery tickets brought to him by family members over the years.  He was certain one day that he’d hit the jackpot, yet unaware of the fact that so many people in his life had already won just by having such a wonderful man touch their lives.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2017 at the Little Flower Catholic Church, 54191 N. Ironwood Drive, South Bend.  Military graveside services will follow at Sumption Prairie Cemetery, South Bend.  Friends may visit with the family from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, February 26th, at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend and one hour prior to Mass at church on Monday. 

Contributions in memory of Norman L. Horvath may be donated to St. Augustine Soup Kitchen, 1501 W. Washington Street, South Bend, IN  46628, Hospice Foundation, 501 Comfort Place,  Mishawaka, IN  46545, or to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 2004 Ironwood Circle, Suite 140, South Bend, IN  46635.  Online condolences may be offered to the Horvath family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. 

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