Submitted by: Dan Rich

Walter E. Kodba

Feb. 6, 1920 - Aug. 15, 1998

South Bend Tribune 8/17/1998

MISHAWAKA - Walter E. Kodba, 78, residing on Jamestown Court, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away after a brief illness at 9:50 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, at St. Joseph Medical Center, South Bend, Ind. Mr. Kodba retired from the Torrington Corporation in 1984 after serving 37 years of employment. He was born on Feb. 6, 1920, in South Bend, to the late Peter and Mary (Zernick) Kodba. He had been a lifelong area resident.

On Nov. 9, 1940, in Mishawaka, he married Clara Poletti, who preceded him in death in 1982.

He is survived by three daughters, Connie (Don) Francis of Mishawaka, Cathy (George) Heiner of Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Debbie (Gerry) Wilson of Granger, Ind.; two sons, Eugene Kodba of Central Square, N.Y., and Walter (Stacie) Kodba of Mishawaka; 12 grandchildren, Shelley Hess, Stephanie Blake, Anne-Marie Zielinski, Jerry Francis, Chris Platz, Rachael Faircloth, Clarissa Heiner, Nick Kodba, Nicole Kodba, Nadina Kodba, Tammy Wilson and Crystal Wilson; eight great-grandchildren; and by two sisters, Sister M. Perpetua of New York and Joan Orisich of South Bend; and by a brother, Joseph Kodba of Eagle Lake (Edwardsburg), Mich.

Mr. Kodba was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Mishawaka, American Legion Post 161 of Mishawaka, Loyal Order of the Moose #58 of South Bend, and was a United States Navy veteran of World War II.

The funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka. Father Robert Yast will officiate. Private burial will take place in Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or to the charity of donor's choice.