Submitted by: Dan Rich

Joseph J. Kish, Sr.

April 11, 1913 - Jan. 26, 1999

South Bend Tribune 1/18/1999

Joseph J. Kish, Sr., 75, residing on Biscayne Drive, South Bend, Ind., passed away at 12:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26, in Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center. Mr. Kish was born on April 11, 1923, in South Bend, to Joseph B. and Mary (Sipotz) Kish, and had remained a lifelong resident of this community. Joe was an employee of the former Studebaker Corporation and South Bend Tool & Die, and retired in 1984 from Alumni Tool & Die.

On Dec. 26, 1942, he married Clara Marie Gustafson, who passed away on Sept. 14, 1974. Then, in March 1980, he married Lorraine Von Bergen, who survives. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Kish of Mishawaka, Ind.; a daughter, Barbara M. (Mike) of Granger, Ind.; three sons, Joseph J. Kish, Jr., of Jacksonville, Fla., James R. (Sharon) Kish of Mentor, Ohio, and John M. (Joan) Kish of Mishawaka; two stepdaughters, JoAnn (Steve) Wells of St. Louis, Mo., and Susan Von Bergen of Oakland, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Kathleen, Michael, Timothy, Laura, Kara, Jeffrey, Julia, Daniel and Alissa; and by a brother, Richard A. Kish of South Bend.

Joe was a member of St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church where he was a Eucharistic Minister, serving communion to the sick and shut-ins. He was a member of the Usher's Club and also worked on the Christmas giving tree program and holiday decoration at the church. He was a member of V.F.W. Post #1167, and served in the United States Army during World War II in two theaters, both in Europe and the Pacific. He was a member and volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society; Board member of Corvilla, Inc.; chairman of the 1941 Riley High School Reunion and committee member of the ''Over the Hill Gang'' for Riley High School graduates of 50 years or more; the South Bend Elk's Lodge #235 and volunteer bingo worker; and was a South Bend Tool & Die Association officer. Joe loved his camera and enjoyed taking and sharing pictures of family, friends and church events. His favorite activities were golf, family genealogy and traveling.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, in St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church. Rev. Joseph Gaughan will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, Ind. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, where a parish Rosary will be said at 4 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Corvilla, Inc.