Submitted by: Dan Rich

Elmer R. Kaczmarek

June 27, 1918 - Jan 10, 2000

South Bend Tribune 1/13/2000

Elmer R. Kaczmarek, 81, of Spring Hill, Fla., formerly of Sundown Road, South Bend, Ind., died at 5:55 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 10, in Lemont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Lemont, Ill. He was born on June 27, 1918, to the late Andrew and Sophie Kaczmarek in Michigan City, Ind., and had spent most of his life in South Bend. He moved to Spring Hill in 1988. Mr. Kaczmarek retired on June 1, 1983 from A.M. General Corporation after 20 years of service. Prior to that he was employed with the Studebaker Company. He had also worked as an usher for Notre Dame football games for 35 years.

On Nov. 4, 1939, he married Harriett Bargielski, who passed away on March 31, 1974. Also preceding him in death was a son, Ralph E. Kaczmarek of Redando Beach, Calif., in 1998; and seven brothers and sisters. He is survived by two sons, Andrew (Bonnie) Kaczmarek of Tinley Park, Ill., and Jim (Melanie) Kaczmarek of Fountain Valley, Calif.; five grandchildren, Andrew (Wendy) Kaczmarek of Compton, Ill., Justice Kaczmarek of Fountain Valley, Jackie (John) Gardner of Orland Park, Ill., Tammy (Paul) Skulka of Tinley Park, Cathi Kaczmarek of Tinley Park; four great-grandchildren, Samantha Gardner, Matthew Gardner, Brianna Gardner, and Austin Skulka; two sisters, Rosalie "Pat" Stefaniak of Mishawaka, Ind., and Jean Nowak of South Bend; and a brother, Roy (Marie) Kaczmarek of South Bend.

Mr. Kaczmarek formed the Indiana Club in Spring Hill, was a member of the Chain-O-Lakes Conservation Club, Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #58 in South Bend, and Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge in Spring Hill. In the 1950's, Mr. Kaczmarek was influential in South Bend's decision to build a new Washington High School at its current location instead of renovating the previous location on Sample Street.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, with Rev. Robert J. McGuire officiating. Cremation will follow, with burial of cremains on Monday at St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday in the Kaniewski Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society, 535 W. Edison, Unit #6, Mishawaka, IN 46545.