Submitted by: Alice Marie Beard

Casimer W. Kopec

Jan. 10, 1921 - June 13, 2010
MISHAWAKA - Casimer William Kopec, residing in Mishawaka, passed away peacefully in his daughter's arms at his home on Sunday evening, June 13, 2010.  He was 89 years old.  He was born January 10, 1921, in South Bend, a son of Ignacy and Pelagia Kopiec, and had remained a lifelong resident of this community.    On January 31, 1942, in New Carlisle, he was united in marriage to Ann Kandlestorfer.  They have enjoyed 68 years of marriage.  He is survived by his loving wife, Ann, along with four daughters, Judy (Aaron) Martz of Granger, Patricia (Dave) Wilson of South Bend, Barbara (Neil) Andrews of Mishawaka and Becky (Billy) Gray of Hamilton, OH; and a son, Casey (Vicky) Kopec Jr. of Portage, MI.  Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Etta (Butch) Mason of Arizona.  He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Sally (Ed) Clymer and Margie (Cal) Percy of Niles, MI, Algear Kandlestorfer of Dowagiac, MI; brothers-in-law, Anton Kandlestorfer of Marcellus, MI, Bobbie Kandlestorfer and George Kandlestorfer, both of Dowagiac, MI.  Mr. Kopec was preceded in death by five brothers, Art, Frank, Norman, Joseph and Art.   He retired as a groundskeeper at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola.  Previous to that, he was employed with the Indiana Toll Road.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army during WW II.   Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 16th, in the Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend.  Rev. Craig Clapper, pastor of Trinity Evangelical Free Church, will officiate. Graveside services with military honors will follow at Riverview Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from noon until services on Wednesday in the funeral home.  Online condolences to the Kopec family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. Published in the South Bend Tribune on June 15, 2010