Submitted by: Dan Rich

Byron E. Eslinger

July 18, 1911 – Aug. 29, 1997

South Bend Tribune 8/31/1997

Byron E. “Barney” Eslinger, 86, of Fredericksburg Court, South Bend, passed away after a brief illness at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, in St. Joseph Community Hospital, Mishawaka. Barner was born in Madison Township, St. Joseph County on July 18, 1911 to Irvin and Mabel (Carbiener) Eslinger, both of whom preceded him in death.

On Sept. 6, 1930, Barney married the former Mabel Stickel, who preceded him in death on Aug. 8, 1982. He was also preceded in death by a son, Bill Eslinger on Aug. 6, 1980. On Nov. 16, 1985 he married the former Catherine E. Perri DeSimone, who survived. He is also survived by two daughters, Jean Weldy of Goshen and Karen Shank of Fort Wayne; and three step-sons, Joseph and Samuel DeSimone of Mishawaka, and John DeSimone of Argyle, Texas; seven grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; and by a sister Edith Riley of Nappanee.

Barney retired in 1984 from City Hall in Mishawaka after 16 years and, prior to that, he had been a milkman for the Mishawaka Farmers Dairy for 30 years. He was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 today in the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, where a wake service will be held at 2 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Monday in St. Monica’s Catholic Church, with Fr. William Sullivan officiating. Burial will be in Olive Grove Cemetery, Wakarusa, Ind. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County.