Submitte by: Dan Rich

Lee R. Gushwa Jr.

Oct. 30, 1934 - Sept. 8, 2003

South Bend Tribune 9/10/2003

Lee "Joe" "Chief" R. Gushwa Jr., 68, of Osceola, Ind., passed away suddenly on Monday, Sept. 8, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, Ind.

He was born Oct. 30, 1934, in South Bend, to Lee R. and Gertrude (Johnson) Gushwa. Lee was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Donald (Mildred) Gushwa and Louis Gushwa; and by an infant sister.

He grew up in Osceola and on Nov. 21, 1953, he married the former Nancy Sencrie. The couple made their home in Osceola where they raised their family. Lee was employed for 33 years at Uniroyal, but his true passion was in construction. For many years he owned and operated Lee Builders Construction and currently was a partner with J.P. Enterprises. Lee's family was the center of his life. He enjoyed having them together, especially for backyard cookouts.

His surviving family includes his wife of nearly 50 years, Nancy; a son, Dennis Gushwa of Osceola; a daughter, Lorraine (George) Wentz of Osceola; three brothers, Robert (Lucille) Gushwa of South Bend, Charles (Mae) Gushwa of Mishawaka, Ind., and Richard (Nancy) Gushwa of Las Vegas, Nev.; a sister-in-law, Ruth Gushwa of Mishawaka; three grandchildren, Heather (Jason) Hertel, Jillian (Rick) Sands and Lance Yakym; and a great-grandchild, Jonathen Yakym.

Friends may spend time with Lee's family from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday in the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, 503 W. Third St., Mishawaka.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday in the funeral home, with Rev. Erv Mize officiating.

Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.