Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 6/6/2001

Joseph R. Caenepeel

March 10, 1922 - June 2, 2001

Joseph R. Caenepeel, 79, of South Bend, Ind., passed away suddenly on Saturday, June 2, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

Joe was born March 10, 1922, in South Bend, to the late Joseph and Mary (Baudoncq) Caenepeel. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Maurice Caenepeel.

He joined the South Bend Police Department in 1946, and retired in 1967; taught 6th grade at Swanson School for a short time; then went to work for Clark Equipment in 1967, and retired in 1982. After retirement, Joe worked security at Memorial Hospital for two years.

On May 7, 1949, Joseph married Shirley "Pat-Susie" Partridge, who survives. Also surviving with his wife of 52 years are two daughters, Peggy (John) Grcich of South Bend and Jodi (Jim) Kosmicki of Carbondale, Colo.; a son, Marc (Lynn) Caenepeel of Asheville, N.C.; five grandchildren, Jason and Bryan Caenepeel, Anna, Joe and Luke Grcich; and a sister, Florine Brockeveldt of Mishawaka, Ind.

Joe graduated from Central High School in 1940, served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946, and graduated from Bethel College in 1966 with a degree in elementary education. He attended Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and most recently was a member of the Cass Evangelical Free Church, Cassopolis, Mich. He was an active volunteer with the Hope Rescue Mission, Young Life, and Faith at Work.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 7, in the KANIEWSKI Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, where the family will greet friends one hour prior to services. Cremation has taken place.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hope Rescue Mission, PO Box 4488, South Bend, IN 46634-4488; or to Cass Evangelical Free Church, 64016 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031