Submitted by: Dan Rich

John H. Bierwagen

Sept. 10, 1922 - Feb. 7, 2002

South Bend Tribune 2/9/2002

John H. Bierwagen, 79, of Knight Drive, Buchanan, Michigan, died at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, February 7, 2002 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Ind., following a brief illness.

He was born September 10, 1922 in South Bend to Chester and Plagia "Blanche" (Klota) Bierwagen and was a lifetime area resident. Mr. Bierwagen retired in 1985 after 46 years of employment with RACO, Inc. of South Bend.

He was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles, American Legion Post 51 in Buchanan, the RACO Retirement Group and a lifetime member of B.P.O. of Niles Elks Lodge 1322. Mr. Bierwagen was a veteran who served in the U.S. Navy and was a past president of RACO Credit Union in South Bend. He played shortstop for Niles Mayor Russ Thomas Traveling Semi-Pro Softball Team, the "Thomas Tommies", was a championship bowler asked to compete on the Stroh's Traveling Team; and bowled on the Businessman's Doubles Traveling Bowling Team with partner, Everett Deeds. He was also an avid golfer. Mr. Bierwagen won numerous awards and trophies for his outstanding athletic abilities.

On June 19, 1954, in Niles he married the former Marilyn Whitfield who survives. Other surviving family include his children, Robert (Pamela) Bierwagen of Zionsville, Ind., Constance J. Bierwagen and David J. Bierwagen, both of Buchanan; six grandchildren; a sister, Marie Ridens of South Bend; and a brother, Bert Bierwagen of Niles. Two brothers, Leonard and Ervin "Ike" Bierwagen preceded him in death.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Monday, February 11, 2002, at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles, with the Reverend Canon Marian M. Kencik officiating. Burial will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rosary recited at 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions for Mr. Bierwagen may be made to Hospice House of Saint Joseph County.