Oscar J. Cantu

Oscar J. Cantu, 64 years old, passed away unexpectedly at 1:35 a.m. on Friday, October 8, 2021 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend.  Oscar was born on March 25, 1957 in Elgin, IL and has lived in South Bend since 1963.  On July 28, 1984 in Buchanan, MI, Oscar and Joanne Ida Jetzke were united in marriage.  His wife, Joanne, preceded him in death on June 13, 2020. 

Oscar is survived by his parents, Lucio and Juanita Cantu of South Bend; daughter, Aimee (Donnell Langenderfer, Jr.) Cantu of South Bend; son, Tomas Juan Cantu of South Bend; two grandchildren, Donnell Langenderfer, III and Anthony Allen Juan Cantu; nine sisters, Adelaida (Russell) Shefbuch, Hortencia (Reyes) Sandoval, Paulina (Robert) Gundeck, Estella (Daniel) Sosa, Sylvia (Jorge, Sr.) Guevara, Rosa Linda (Edward) Corr, Rosa Maria (Mark) Heckaman, and Luisa (Julio) Guevara, all of South Bend, and Diana (the late Lucio) Ortiz of Elsa, TX; and one brother, Daniel (the late Janie) Cortez of Donna, TX.  He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and extended family.  Oscar will be missed by his special cousins, Jose Luis (Pepe) Bueno and Claudio Bueno, Sr., and his lifelong childhood friends, Johnny DeLeon, Manuel Gonzalez, Armando Canul, Robert Gundeck and Michael Thacker. 

Oscar was very involved with Challenger Little League and had a soft-heart for children with disabilities.  He enjoyed sports, especially playing and coaching baseball, and bowling singles and doubles with his wife, Joanne.  He was on one of the first Mexican/American Baseball League teams.    Oscar’s father taught him the sport of boxing and he was a talented boxer through his high school years.  He was a volunteer for the Portage Township Fire Department for many years and was proud to be a Volunteer in Police Service for the City of South Bend.

Friends may visit with the family from 2:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 14th, at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend where a service will be held at 7:00 p.m.  Friends may also visit with the family from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home where a service will be held at 12 noon.  Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Oscar J. Cantu may be donated to the family c/o Palmer Funeral Home, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, IN  46614.  Online condolences may be offered to the Cantu family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.