Submitted by: Dan Rich
Dec. 5, 1913 - Oct. 22, 1998
South Bend Tribune 10/24/1998
Lewis Frank Katz, 84, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away following an extended illness on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 22, in the Holy Cross Care and Rehabilitation Center. Prior to going to work at Bendix from where he retired in 1979, he owned and operated the CK Food Store in River Park as well as the Lewis Liquor Store and Ajax Carpet and Furniture Cleaners in Mishawaka, Ind. He was born in Hungary on Dec. 5, 1913, to Charles and Martha Katz. He came to South Bend, Ind., at the age of seven.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Samuel of South Bend and David of Forest Hills, N.Y.
Sixty years ago, on Feb. 20th, in Chicago, Ill., he married Essi Adelberg of Benton Harbor, Mich. She survives. He is also survived by his daughter, Michelle (the late Mark) Modesitt of Pleasanton, Calif.; two sons, Harlan (Paulette) Katz of Granger, Ind., and Michael (Kay) Katz of Wilmette, Ill.; six grandchildren, Marc (Margie) Katz, Marcia (Jeff) Swarens, Carrie Katz, Craig Katz, Brent Modesitt and Lisha Modesitt; and by three great-grandchildren, Henry Katz, Oliver Katz and Parker Swarens.
For many years he participated in the activities of B'nai B'rith Mamre Lodge 831 and BPO Elks Lodge 235. Impressed by his own boy-scouting experience, he took on the role of scoutmaster as an adult. He sang with the Michiana Male Chorus and took pleasure in performing to entertain local organizations.
There will be no visitation. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25th, in the Chapel at the Hebrew Orthodox Cemetery, located at Jefferson Boulevard and Logan Street in Mishawaka. Burial will follow immediately. The family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Hebrew Orthodox Congregation Synagogue or to the American Diabetes Association.