Submitted by: Dan Rich

Donald L. Blad

Aug. 12, 1934 - Sept. 17, 2003

South Bend Tribune 9/18/2003

Donald L. Blad, 69, of Amber Valley Drive, South Bend, Ind., passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 17, in his residence. Donald was born on Aug. 12, 1934, in Grovertown, Ind., to Leonard R. and Helen B. (Gray) Blad.

On June 18, 1955, he married Marian J. Heiden, who survives. Mr. Blad is also survived by two daughters, Stefanie (Rex) Keel of Woodlands, Texas, and Teri (Larry) Calvin of South Bend; a son, Craig Blad of Chicago, Ill.; three grandchildren, Kyle McLain, and Brittany and Brenden Keel; his mother, Helen Blad of New Carlisle, Ind.; two sisters, Ruby (Harold) Olson of Rolling Prairie, Ind., and Doris (Bill) Ross of Chesterton, Ind.; and by two brothers, Russell (Carol) Blad of Bremen, Ind., and Kenneth (Jean) Blad of LaPorte, Ind.

Mr. Blad was a farmer for most of his life, and was employed by Gates Chevrolet in the sales department from 1986-2000. He retired in 2000 and worked part-time from 2001 to the present at Potato Creek State Park.

He was a United States Army veteran, a member of the Masonic Lodge, North Liberty, #266, where he was a past Master and a 32nd degree Master Mason, Scottish Rite, past president of the Green Township Lions Club, the Pop for the North Liberty Rainbow Girls, assembly #52, and was a very active member of the Bethany Lutheran Church, including the choir. Donald enjoyed working outside in his garden and around the house. He loved to do things for his kids, and would help anybody in any way who needed anything!

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Sept. 18, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend. Funeral services for Donald will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, in the funeral home, with burial to follow at Patton Cemetery, LaPorte. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637-3437; or to Bethany Lutheran Church, 5302 W. Sample St., South Bend, IN 46619.