Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT July 23, 2006

Carl L. De Craene
July 18, 1911 - July 21, 2006

Carl Louis De Craene, 95, of South Bend, passed away in his home on the morning of Friday, July 21.

Carl was born on July 18, 1911, in Lotenhulle, Belgium, as the son of the late Rene and Louise (Baele) De Craene. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Emil of South Bend and Albert of Mishawaka. On August 11, 1936, in St. Bavo Catholic Church, he married the former Irene Taets, who passed away on May 25, 1980.

Surviving Carl are six children, Charles E. (Marjorie) De Craene of Belding, MI, Robert G. (Pamela) De Craene of Elkhart, James H. (Gerry) of Niles, MI, Edward R. (Judy) of South Bend, Michele (Joseph) Bleich of South Bend and Melanie (Danny) Galbreath of Edwardsburg, MI; 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Carl was a lineman and material handler for I&M Power for 42 years before he retired in 1976. He was a member of St. Anthony de Padua Church, South Bend. He was a wonderful man who loved his family and always enjoyed spending time with them.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 24th, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, where wake prayers will be said at 3:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 25th, in St. Anthony de Padua Church, South Bend, with Rev. Terry Fisher officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger.

Memorial contributions may be made in Carl's name to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.

To leave the family an online condolence or to share memories with the De Craene family, please visit www.hahnfuneralhomes.com