Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT 1/14/2008

Surnames:  Bajdek – Banasyk - Herek – Kostos

Cemetery:  St Joseph Cemetery

Military:  WW II veteran – served as medic

Florian F. Herek

March 26, 1924 – January 12, 2008

SOUTH BEND – Florian F. “Floyd” Herek, 83, of Juniper Road in South Bend IN, passed away the evening of Saturday, January 12, 2008, at Holy Cross Care Center in South Bend.

Floyd was born on March 26, 1924, in Bay City MI, to Otto & Tillie Herek, who both preceded him in death.  On May 1948, he married Virginia Bajdek of South Bend, who Passed away two years ago.  Also preceding him in death are sister, Virginia Kostos; and brother, Virgil.  Floyd is survived by sister, Deloras Banasyk and dozens of nieces and nephews.

Floyd worked as a mechanic at Bertles Automotive and in the Maintenance Department at the University of Notre Dame, where he retired.  He was a veteran of World War II, where he served as a medic.  Floyd was a member of St Stanislaus Catholic Church and VFW Post 309.  Floyd, “Unk”, “Otto”, “Leo” was known by many names and loved by all.  He lived for taking care of his extended family by making daily trips to the grocery store, dropping off tomatoes and cukes, blowing cigar smoke in ears (and usually up somewhere else), fixing everything from cars to cupboards, and hanging curtains.  Unk was always taking his “baybahs” to Bonnie Doons, Toasties, Pizza Hut, or McDoogs.  Floyd enjoyed hanging out at the Hole with his friends and family, and watching the Cubs, Bears and Irish.  Otto never missed a ball game or a change to “make a pig of himself”.  Through it all, the one constant in his life was his wife, Virginia.  Unk and Virg were inseparable and they loved each other as much as two people ever have.  Their constant bickering was legendary, but they truly adored each other.  With Jean and Floyd finally together again, Notre Dame’s ducks and dumpsters are a little less full, not to mention all of our hearts and lives.  God be with you Floyd and say hi to Virgie…..Bay City’s loss was our gain.

Visitation will be on Monday, January 14 from 4 to 8pm, at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 North Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a parish Rosary will be held at 4:00pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am Tuesday, January 15, in St Stanislaus Catholic Church, with a burial to follow at St Joseph Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to St Stanislaus Catholic Church.

SBT 1/15/2008

SOUTH BEND – Florian F. “Floyd” Herek, 83, of Juniper Road in South Bend IN, passed away the evening of Saturday, January 12, 2008, in the Holy Cross Care Center, South Bend.  Floyd is survived by his sister, Deloras Banasyk, and dozens of nieces and nephews.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am today, January 15, in St Stanislaus Catholic Church, where friends may call one hour before Mass.  A burial will follow at St Joseph Cemetery.  Kaniewski Funeral Home, Inc. is handling arrangements.