Submitted by: Dan Rich
Jan. 3, 1926-April 7, 1995
South Bend Tribune 4/9/1995
SOUTH BEND - James ''Otto'' Cenkush, 69, of Diamond Avenue, died at 8:30 p.m. Friday in Michiana Community Hospital, of natural causes.
Mr. Cenkush worked for Drewrys for 26 years and retired from Kreamo Bakery after 10 years in maintenance. He was born Jan. 3, 1926, in South Bend, and was a lifelong area resident.
On Nov. 22, 1952, in South Bend, he married Joan Yankee. She survives with two daughters, Beckey Smyers of Mishawaka and Cindy Shafer of North Liberty; two sons, James R. of Valparaiso and Ronald R. of South Bend; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; four sisters, Betty Niedbala of Edwardsburg, Jean Bauert of Mishawaka, and Ann Dukai and Dorothy Rynearson, both of South Bend; and a brother, John of Mishawaka. He was a member of Army-Navy Union USA Inc. and American Bowling Congress. He was a Korean War veteran.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Welsheimer Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County.