OBITS
OF ST JOSEPH CO, SO BEND IN
FOUND IN GONIEC POLSKI, SOUTH
BEND TRIBUNE, REGISTER, MISHAWAKA
ENTERPRISE
[To assist those who will in future years will be seeking data on their families, I have
taken the liberty of including [from obits] - family members who have married,
changed their names, or moved away.] Gertrude “Lucky” Ladewski
GRONTKOWSKI _to_ GRZEGOREK
HENRIETTA GRONTKOWSKI - Mrs Casimir J Pajakowski
Wed 26 May 1936.
CASIMIR J PAJAKOWSKI
Born 15 Feb 1912; died 16 Mar 1980 of 5140 Ford St. Radio announcer for late
WHOT radio station, now WNDU-TV. Buried in Riverview Mausoleum. Surviving are
his wife Henrietta and a son Charles A Pajakowski.
HENRY J GRONTKOWSKI
Born 2 May 1918; word was received of the 31 Dec 1980 death of Henry, age 61
of Taft CA, formerly of South Bend. He was employed at CA Bell Telephone Co in
Bakerfield CA. Lived South Bend for 23 yrs before joining the US Army during WW II.
Burial in Taft CA. In 1944 he wed Edith Stone who survives with a son, Joseph of
Bakersfield; a grandson; a sister Mrs Fred Kozlosli of South Bend, a brother Clement
and his mother Mrs Helen Grontkowski also of South Bend .
FRANK GRONTKOWSKI
Born 24 Mar 1877; died 28 Jun 1941, age 64; well known Lumber man; worked
as salesman for Smogar Lumber. Burial at Cedar Grove Cemetery. On 9 Oct 1899 wed
Francis Gish who died 22 Feb 1940. Surviving are 3 daughters, Josephine, Helen and Mrs
Henrietta Pajakowski; 2 sons, Edward Grontkowski, Frederick GRANT [m chged].
JOZEF GRONTKOWSKI
Died. 1915, St Joseph Cemetery. Wife: Apolonia Chmiel.
APOLONIA [PAULINE] GRONTKOWSKI - nee Chmiel - w/o Jozef
Born 10 Jun 1876 Poland; arrived USA 17 Apr 1903; came to SBd 1907 from
Pennsylvania; d] 28 Nov 1938, age 62, of 811 S Jackson; had been ill for 2 months.
Services at St Casimir Catholic Church; burial at St Joseph Cemetery. Children: Stephen,
Michael, Theodore, Walter, Edwin, Sophia, Mrs Bertha Zyto, Mrs Theresa Szmanda, Mrs
Victoria Przybysz. Apolonia’s family; Vincnet Chmiel, Mrs Michalina
Gorzynski, Mrs Catharine Nowastawski.
KAROL GRONTKOWSKI
Born1847 Poland; died 1923, Cedar Grove Cem. Wife: Anna Wentland.
ANNA GRONTKOWSKI - nee Wentland - w/o Karol
Born 6 Jul 1853 Poland; died 21 Apr 1936 age 82 of 1115 W Thomas, died in her
home following 3 months of illness and complications. Came here from Poland 60 yrs
ago, before the first Polish church was built here. Services held at St Hedwig Catholic
Church, burial at Cedar Grove. Children: Clara, Frank, John C, Anthony, Mary, Frances,
Joseph, Charles J; She leaves a brother Peter Wentland and a sister Mrs Julia Kowalski.
THEODORE F GRONTKOWSKI
Born 15 Sept 1905 in Pennsylvania and lived in South Bend most of his life; Died
5 Jul 1982, age 76 of 617 S Walnut St at 5:40 p.m. in St Joseph’s Medical Center after a
brief illness. Employed Studebakers for 40 years, later with Cummings Engineering for 5
years. Services at St Casimir Catholic Church, burial in St Joseph Cemetery. On 11 Jun
1929 he wed Clementine Jozwiak who survives with a daughter, Mrs Margaret Blasczyk
of Newark OH, two sons, Richard and William both of SBd; 11 grandchildren; 2
grandchildren; 2 sisters, Mrs Theresa Smanda & Mrs Victoria Przybysz; 2 brothers,
Walter and Edwin all of South Bend .
++MRS BETTY GRONTKOWSKI - hus # 2] Robert L Rose
Wed #2] 29 Jul 1972.
ROBERT L ROSE - Born 11 Sept 1916 Independence Iowa; came to SBd in 1947 from
Chicago. Retired in 1978 from Bendix after 30 yrs as a calibrator in the Aerospace Div.
Member of Basilica of the Sacred Heart Church; bur Riverview Cem. On 20 Jun 1947
wed Mildred C Templeton who died 27 Dec 1971. A son, Martin Rose also deceased.
Surviving as his 2nd wife Betty , with a step-daughter Mrs. Nancy Cole of Osceola; 4
stepsons, Jerome Grontkowski of Granger, James of San Diego CA. Robert & Edward
both of So Bend, 14 step grandchildren; 4 step great grandchildren; and a brother,
Richard Eckler of Bensenville Ill.
======================================================
KENNETH F GROTH
Born 1 Feb 1925 in La Crosse WI; lived in South Bend until 10 years ago; died 16
Apr 1995 ate 70 of Las Vegas Nevada. He retired from International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers Local 153 after 43 years of service. No services or visitation.
Cremation has taken place. Nevada Funeral Services in Las Vegas handled arrangements.
He is suvived by his wife, Elaine Groth of Las Vegas, a daughter Mrs Darla Smith of
Bloomington IN; a son, Kenneth V of Granger IN; 3 stepdaughters, Mrs Joan maure of
Osceola, Mrs Linda Gorski of Burnsville MN and Mrs Diana Sheets of SBd; a stepson,
Ralph Braden of San Jose CA; 12 grandchildren, 3 sisters; Mrs Charlotte Goplen of
Shady Grove Ore, mrs Lillian Nofffke of LaCrosse & Mrs Audrey Davis of Staddard
Wis. He was a Navy Veteran WW II.
=====================================================
LOTTIE GROTKOWSKI - Nee Kosmalski - Husband #1] Turkowski; #2] Peter
Born 20
S Lombardy at 10:30 a.m. in St JOseph Hospital, having been ill for 3 months. Retired
RACO 1968 after 20 years. Services at St Stanislaus Catholic Church, burial in St Joseph
Cemetery. On 28 Sept 1935 married Peter Grotkowski who survives with her son,
Stanley B Rutkowski and a daughter Mrs Sophie Johnson of Brooklyn NY, a brother Bert
Kosmalski of Detroit MI, Matthew of South Bend and a sister Mrs Clara Rozanski of Los
Angeles CA.
======================================================
EMMA GROVELSKI
Born Mercer City Ohio; died 23 Nov 1937; ill a short time; lived 3 miles north
east of Mishawaka on Edwardsburg Rd. Services at First Church of Christ Scientist;
cremated in Chicago. Surviving are a Daughter, Mrs. Raymond E Chambers; a sister
Mrs. Louis Primmer.
===============================================
FRANK GRUBER
Born 19 Jan 1913; died 14 Feb 1998 age 85 of Dunham St at 11:38 p.m. in St
Joseph’s Medical Center. Retired United Beverage after 30 years. Veteran US Army
serving in Europe during WW II. St Casimir’s Catholic Church; entombment in St
Joseph’s Cemetery. On 3 May 1941 he wed Alice L Markiewicz who preceded him in
death on 15 May 1990; also preceded in death by a brother, John Gruber of So Bend, and
by 2 sisters Mrs Cecelia Przestwor of So Bend and Mrs Mary Heitzer of Germany. He is
survived by 2 children: Thomas F [Donna] of SBd and Ruth Ann [Daniel] Lattimer of
MIshawaka; 5 grandchildren: Tamara [Glenn] Duddleson and Tracy [James] Hickey of
SBd; Gary [Wendy] Gruber of Schaumburg Ill; Christian Lattimer and Breanne Lattimer
of Mishawaka; 3 great grandchildren, Alex and Ashley Gruber and Alexis Duddleson; 4
sisters: Mrs Margaret Redling, Mrs Theresa Solmos, Mrs. Hedwige Horvath and Mrs
Louise Niemann.
ROBERT L GRUBER
Born 26 Jun 1946; died 13 Mar 1994 age 47 of Mulberry Rd at 5:18 p.m. in
Memorial Hospital of natural causes. He was former owner of Grubers Supermarket, also
employed by Troyer Foods as a sales representative. Services at St Mary of the
Assumption Catholic Church; burial in St Joseph Cemetery. On 6 Sept 1971 he wed
Catharine J Nadolny who survives with a daughter Kimberly at home; three sons, Robert
J, Anthony J and Matthew J , all at home; his mother Mrs. Ann Gruber Wach of South
Bend , 2 brtohers; John and James, both of SBd.
===================================================
JUNE R GRUDZINSKI - Nee Bonney -#1] Jack Pfender. #2] Alex
Born 13 Jun 1921 in Mishawaka; died 20 Apr 1995, age 73 of N Merrified Ave,
Mishawaka at 11:24 p.m. in St Joseph’s Medical Center of natural causes. Retired 1980
from Precision Place parts after 15 yrs as a machine operator. Veteran Army Air Corp
WW II. Burial in Fairview Cemetery. On 1 Mar 1946 in Mishawaka wed Jack Pfender;
divorced. On 17 Aug 1974 in Mish. wed Alex Grudzinski who survives with 2 sons,
Craig Pfender of Mish. & Gary Pfender of Phoenix AZ; 2 stepsons, Alex Jr and John both
of Mish; a step daughter, Mrs Bridgette McKay of Mish; 9 grandchildren; 1 great
grandchild; 3 sisters; Mrs Ruth Pfender of Mish., Mrs Dorothy Wolf of South Bend and
Mildred Lowe of Ohio.
================================================
RODGER A GRUNERT
Born 21 Feb 1926 in Piqua Ohio; died 21 May 1995 age 69 of San Jose CA
formerly of South Bend ; died Sunday in Santa Thrersa Hospital, San Jose. He was a pilot
for 53 yrs & Federal Aviation Authority for 20 years. Services at St Patrick’s Catholic
Church; burial at Highland Cemetery; Air Force Veteran WW II. He is survived by a
daughter Mrs Laura Edwards of Red Bluff CA; 4 grandchildren; 1 great granddaughter,
his mother Mrs Margaret E Treon of Memphis Tenn; a sister Mrs Madeline Jankowski of
Memphis; a brother Leon C Grunert of San Jose CA.
==================================================
FRANCES C GRUSZKA - Mrs Stephen Malisz
Born 3 Feb 1881; died 12 Aug 1959, and lived with her duaghter and son-in-law
Mrs & Mrs. Joseph Fabian of 1104 Culver Place. Services at St Casimir Catholic
Church, burial at Cedar Grove Cemetery. On 20 Nov 1907 wed Stephen who died 23
Sept 1941. Surviving children: Mrs Esther Fabian, Eva, Joseph and Mrs Alicya [Bert]
Witucki.
LILLIAN GRUSZKA
Born 10 Oct 1892 in Chicago; died 25 Mar 1985 age 92 of 628 Western Ave in St
Joseph’s Medical Center. She is survivied by several nieces and nephews. Services at St
Mary’s Polish National Catholic Church; burial in St Joseph Cemetery.
LUKASZ GRUSZKA
Born 18 Oct 1857 Poznan Poland; died 2 Jun 1925, age 65 of 1221 W Grace at
10:30 p.m. in Epworth Hospital after an illness of 4 months. Buried in St Joseph
Cemetery. In 1880 in Poland wed Jozefa Dankowski who survives with 3 daughters,
Mrs Frances Malisz of Chicago, Mrs Martha Zywert of Chicago, Lillian; 3 sons; Stanley
, Walter J and Michael all of Chicago; one sister, Mrs George Ratajczak of Jackson MI.
JOZEFA GRUSZKA - Nee Dankowski - w/o Lukasz
Born Mar 1859 Poland; died 17 Jun 1926 age 55 of 1221 Grant after an illness of
6 months of complications. Came to South Bend from Chicago 23 years ago. Buried St
Joseph Cemetery. Children as in husbands obit. Three sisters Mrs A Sobczak, Mrs
Catharine Kukla, Mrs Agnes Makowski, 2 brothers Peter and Frank Dankowski of
Chicago Ill.
MARTHA GRUSZKA - Mrs Stanley J Zywert
Born 1 Jul 1890 S Chicago; died 19 Jun 1964 of 1024 E Corby at 5:30 a.m. in her
home after a brief illness. Services at St Joseph Catholic Church, burial at St Joseph
Cemetery. Her husband Stanley Zywert died 5 Dec 1961, owner of a grocery store at
1029 Corby. Surviving are a daughter Mrs Evelyn Dygulski and a brand daughter Linda.
MICHAEL GRUSZKA
Died 28 Oct 1952 Chicago, age 70 of a heart attack in his home at 10141
Indianapolis, Chicago Illinois. Surviving is his wife Marian.
WALTER GRUSZKA
Born 23 Aug 1894 Chicago; died 21 Sept 1976, age 82 of 809 W Thomas at St
Joseph Hospital after an extended illness. Former street dept employee and had lived here
74 years. Services at St Mary’s Polish National Catholic church, burial at St Joseph
Cemetery.
==================================================
EDMUND L GRUSZYNSKI
Born 7 Jan 1895 Milwaukee Wisc; died Jul 1941, age 46 of 920 W Jefferson; ill 5 years;
son of Joseph Gruszynski of Thorp Wisc. On 8 Aug 1922 in St hedwig Catholic Church
he wed Harriet Windslow who survives with a son John Joseph, two brtohers, Adolph of
Byron MN, Louis of Thorp WI, 2 sisters, Mrs Martin Kaniewski and Clara Gruszynski of
Thorp Wisc.
ELIZABETH C GRUSZYNSKI - Nee Coan - w/o Louis J
Born 8 Dec 1916in Stevens Point Wisc to Estella [Erickson] and Thomas Coan
who both preceded her in death.; died 16 Apr 1997 age 80 in St Joseph’s Medical
Center. She retired as office manager at St Joseph County Hospice & also worked at
Healthwin Hosp as a business manager. Services held at Holy Cross Catholic Church,
burial in Riverview Cemetery. On 22 Mar 1941 in Sibley Iowa she wed Louis J who
preceded her in death, also a brother Emory Erickson. She is survived by a son, Dr
Thomas R [Barbara] Gruszynski of Granger IN; 2 grandchildren, Scott Louis of Daytona
Beach Fla and Leslie Alyse of Granger.
MARYANN GRUSZYNSKI - Mrs Jacob Michalski
Born 25 Mar 1878 Poznan Poland; died 11 Apr 1934, age 56 of 1211 Grace, ill
for 2 weeks from a stroke. Arrived USA 50 years ago. Sercies at St Casimir Catholic
Church, burial in St Joseph Cemetery. As Mary Gruszenska on 29 Sept 1885 wed Jacob
Michalski who died 1915. Children: Vincent, Antonina, Louis, Eugene E Sr of Arlington
VA, Walter, Mrs Soophie Olejniczak, Mrs martha Gloyeski, Mrs Mary Slott, Mrs
Theresa Rybacki.
STANISLAWA GRUSZYNSKI - Nee Smiegielski - w/o Stephen [aka Miroslaw]
Born 14 Apr 1885 Pooland; arrived USA as a child, died 2 Feb 1933, age 47 of
heart trouble. Services at St Stanislaus Catholic Church, burial at St Jospeh Cemeterh.
Survivors are 1 sister Mrs L Phelps, 5 brtohers; Frank, John, Tony, MIchael and Walter
Smiegielski.
=======================================================
EDNA [JADWIGA] GRUZA - nee Mnichowski - w/o [Lad] Walter
Born 16 Jul 1897, she lived here all her life; died 19 Jul 1982 age 86 of 1029 N
O’Brien, died at 11:20 p.m. in her home after an extended illness. She was a former sales
clerk at Robertson’s Dept Store, retiring in 1972 after 20 years. Services in St Stanislaus
Catholic Church, burial at Highland Cemetery. In 1919 as jadwiga Mnichowski, she
married Lad[ Walter] Gruza who died 23 Jul 1953. Surviving are 3 sons; Francis of
Coldwater MI, George and Donald, both of So Bend; 6 grandchildren; 4 great
grandchildren; a sister, mrs Evelyn Richard of Plymouth and a brother, Edmund
Mnichowski of Lakeville IN.
REV STANISLAUS A GRUZA
Born 11 Nov 1881 Lukowo Poland; he camee to South Bend at age 8, attended St
Hedwig Catholic School & entered Holy Cross Seminary 24 Jun 1901. Received the habit
of the order 4 Jul 1903 and made his final profession of vos 4 Jul 1905. Attended Holy
Cross College in Washington DC; ordained 23 Jul 1907 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church
on the Notre Dame Campus. Obit in SBd Trib: 16 Dec 1963; - dies at age 81 in Chicago,
burial services at the Community Cemetery a ND U. Fr. Gruza founded St Hedwig’s
High School in 1928; it became South Bend Catholic High when it moved to the former
Laurel School, now the Laurel Club in 1938. Fr Gruza had become pastor os St Hedwig
Church in 1925; served as asst superior of Holy Trinity parish, Chicago from 1958 until
his death. Friends may call in the Mallec Fuenral Home, 834 Ashland Ave Cgo. Fr Gruza
is survived by 15 nieces and nephes in the SBd area.
=============================================
JAN GRYWCZYNSKI
Died 1973 [per wife’s obit]. In Feb 1926 in Poland mar Helen Redman
HELEN GRYWCZYNSKI - Nee Redman - w/o Jan
Born 28 Jul 1905 in Poland; died 14 Mar 1981 age 75 of 415 Kosciuszko,
died at 10 a.m. in St Joseph’s Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Services at St
Hedwig’s Catholic Church; burial in St Joseph Cemetery. Surviving are 5 sons: Andrew,
Henry and Walter, all of So Bend; Chester of Newark CA and John of Seattle Wash; 9
grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren.
WALTER GRYWCZYNSKI
S/o John and Helen Redman; b] 9 May 1933, died 26 May 1994, cremated;
Riverview Cemetery.
=======================================================
CATHARINE GRZEGOREK - nee Bolka; w/o Thomas
Born 30 Oct 1852 Poland, arrived SBd 1884; died 7 Apr 1934, age 81 of 451 S
Olive; had been ill 3 weeks. Serivces at St Adalbert’s Catholic Church, burial at St
Joseph Cemetery. Her family: Mrs Anna Holewinski of Toledo OH, Frank and John
Bolka.
JEFFREY H GRZEGOREK
Died 10 Jan 1981. So Bend Trib: Services for Jeffrey, age 19 of 702 Travis Circle,
Mishawaka, formerly of So Bend, who was killed Sat. afternoon in a single vehicle
accident near Goldsboro NC where he was stationed with the Air Force, will be at St
Anthony de Padua Catholic Church. Entombment at Riverview Mausoleum.
JOSEPH S “BUD” GRZEGOREK
Born 26 Apr 1925; died 20 Feb 1996 , age 70 of South Lori Street, Mishawaka
died at 11:15 a.m.in his home after an illness. He retired from REAL Services. Veteran of
WW II and Korea; received the Purple Heart. Services held at St Hedwig Catholic
Church, burial at St Joseph Cemetery. On 24 Aug 1946 wed Lucille Wachowiak who
died 1978. Surviving is a daughter Mrs Cheryl L Peczkowski of Mishawaka, a son
Kenneth P of Bowling Green KY; 4 grandchildren; a sister Mrs Dolores T Perkins of
Son. A son David died in 1966.
LUCILLE M GRZEGOREK - nee Wachowiak - w/o Joseph S
Born 10 Dec 1923; died 1 Sept 1978 age 54 of 739 S Kenmore at St Joseph’s
Hospital after a
short Illness. Services held at St Hedwig Catholic Church, burial at St Joseph Cemetery.
Surviving is her husband Joseph, daughter Mrs Cheryl Paczkowski, a son kenneth, both
of Mishawaka, a grandchild, 4 sisters, Mrs Alice Sayer of Ft Lauderdale Fla, Mrs Irene
Norton of Roncho Bernado CA, Mrs Clara Luczkowski & Mrs Sylvia Butchko both of So
Bend; 5 brothers, Frank of Vandalia MI, Stanley of SBd, Al & Floyd of Granger, and
Joseph Wachowiak of Anaheim CA.