Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT 12/26/1961

Vasil Kotaff

February 24, 1894 – December 23, 1961

Funeral services for Vasil Kotaff, 67, of 23364 Cloyd Road, will be at 9:30pm Wednesday in the Walsh-Bilancio Colonial Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St.  Rev. George Vukovits, pastor of the SS Peter & Paul Servian Orthdox Church, will officiate and burial will be in Highland Cemetery.

Mr. Kotaff was found dead in his bed about 4pmSunday by a neightbor, Alex Chmiel, 23363 Bloyd Road.  He called the St Joseph County Sheriff’s Department when he was unable to enter the home.  Deputies said they had to force open the door which was bolted from the inside.  Death was attributed to natural causes and apparently occurred sometime Saturday, according to the office of Dr. Edward S. Shelley, county coroner.  Chmiel told officers he had last seen Kotaff on Friday.

Mr. Kotaff was born on February 24, 1894, and had lived in South Bend since 1915.  Friends may call after 5pm today in the funeral home.