Submitted by: Dan Rich

Florence Catherine Bratina

June 14, 1911 - Oct. 2, 2002

South Bend Tribune 10/4/2002

Florence Catherine Bratina, 91, of Berkley Place in South Bend, Ind., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 2, in Hospice House of South Bend. She was born on June 14, 1911, in Neoga, Ill., to the late Phillip and Emma (Myers) Homann. Florence was a salesperson with the former Robertson's Department Store.

On Nov. 17, 1934, Florence married Frank Bratina, who also preceded her in death on Jan. 15, 1992. She is survived by three daughters, Geraldine A. (Joseph) VanDyck of Canton, Ohio, Josephine D. Luther of Mishawaka, Ind., and Christine R. (Robert) Johnson of Baltimore, Md.; a son, Frank J. (Peggy) Bratina III of Harahan, La.; eight grandchildren, Christine (Emory) Stafford of Duck, N.C., Edmund Luther of Mishawaka, Ind., Catherine (Robert) Niespodziany of Mishawaka, Lawrence (Marlene) Luther Jr. of Burlington, Vt., Joseph (Cheryl) Luther of Osceola, Ind., Douglas Johnson of Washington, D.C., Debra (Nathan) Meltzer of Durham, N.C., and Allyson Bratina of New York, N.Y.; and by 14 great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in Corpus Christi Catholic Church,

with entombment to follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Oct. 4, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a parish Rosary will be held at 4:30 p.m. Mrs. Bratina was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society, Ladies of the Knights of Columbus, and the Serra Club. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637-3437; or to the charity of the donor's choice.