Submitted by: Dan Rich

Michael L. Flora

April 16, 1952 - May 18, 2008

South Bend Tribune 5/20/2008
SOUTH BEND - Michael L. "Mike" Flora, 56, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2008, in his home after a courageous battle with cancer. Mike was born April 16, 1952, in South Bend, to the late Harold W. and Ethel M. (Heeter) Flora Sr. Mike retired in 1999 as Chief of Safety and Maintenance with the South Bend Regional Airport after 27 years of service. He also was employed with Stanz Food Service for nine years.

On July 10, 1971, Mike married Charlotte Kopczynski, who survives. Surviving with his wife Charlotte are a son, Ralph Patrick (Robin) Flora of South Bend; a daughter, Elizabeth Ann (Michael) Brueseke of South Bend; grandchildren, Jared Flora, Katie Flora and Joseph Che Brueseke; sisters, Jean (David) Cline of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Becky (Mike) Payne of Fountain, CO; a brother, Harold Wayne (Darlene) Flora Jr. of Walkerton; his mother-in-law, Lucille Kopczynski of South Bend; his sisters-in-law, Sue (Don) Huff of Elkhart and Diane (Reggie) Day of Rosemont, PA; 17 nieces and nephews; and seven nieces and nephews. Mike graduated from Washington High School in 1970 and the Law Enforcement Academy at Plainfield, Indiana, in 1982, where he was fourth in his class. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, the Northwoods Fishing Club, and was a volunteer firefighter with the Portage Township Fire Department where he served as chief from 1975 to 1980.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana, where a parish Rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 22, in St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, with burial to follow at Sumption Prairie Cemetery, South Bend. Memorial contributions may be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.