Submitted by: Dan Rich

Stephen G. Bernath

July 14, 1916 - Feb. 17, 2000

South Bend Tribune 2/20/2000

Stephen G. Bernath, 83, of Prairie Avenue, South Bend, Ind., passed away at 11:40 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17, in the Ironwood Health and Rehabilitation Center. Mr. Bernath retired in 1976 from the United States Postal Service where he was employed for 32 years. He was born on July 14, 1916, in East St. Louis, Ill., to John and Mary Bernath, who both preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by a son, Stephen G. Bernath, Jr.; two sisters, Elizabeth Kepes and Magdaline Bernath; and by two brothers, George Bernath and John Bernath.

On Nov. 23, 1956, in South Bend, he married Mary Nagy, who survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Kathy Hootman of Mishawaka, Ind., and Mary Ann (Don) Dettor of De Forest, Wis.; a son, John Bernath of South Bend; five grandchildren, John Vandygriff, Tom Hootman, Don Dettor, Jr., Denise Dettor and Melissa Dettor; and by a great-grandchild, Kaitlyn Vandygriff.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 21, in St. Mary of the Assumption Church. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today in the Zahoran Funeral Home, 1826 S. Kemble Avenue, where a Rosary will be recited at 3 p.m.