Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jerome R. Bonk

Dec. 21, 1905 – Aug. 25, 1980

South Bend Tribune 8/25/1980

South Bend - Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jerome R. Bonk, 74, founding pastor of St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, died at 6:15 a.m. Sunday in the Cardinal Nursing Home. He had been a resident there since December 1976.

Born on Dec. 21, 1905, in Williamsport, Pa., Msgr. Bonk was ordained into the priesthood on May 21, 1932 in Fort Wayne. After his ordination, he was assigned to St. Monica’s parish, Mishawaka, where he remained until 1950, when he was named founding pastor of St. Anthony de Padua Parish. South Bend, from which he retired in 1972.

He is survived by a sister, Sister Bernadine Borzym.

The McGann Funeral Home is handling arrangements

Editor: His sister, Sister Bernadine Borzym died June 15, 1990.

South Bend Tribune 8/26/1980

South Bend – Services for  Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jerome R. Bonk, 74, founding pastor of St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, who died at 6:15 a.m. Monday in the Cardinal Nursing Home after an unexpected illness, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church. Most Rev. William A. McManus, bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese and Most Rev. Joseph R. Crawley, auxiliary bishop, will officiate, along with Rev. Robert A. Yast, pastor of St. Anthony’s, Rev. Thomas Lallak, pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption, Rev. Richard Urbine, Rev. Frank Kronewitter and Rev. Andrew Kopsca. Most Rev. Andrew G. Grutka, bishop of the Gary Diocese will give the homily.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today in the McGann Funeral Home and from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the church, where a wake will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Mishawaka.