Submitted by: Dan Rich

Donald Joseph Kreskai

Oct. 22, 1931 - Oct. 3, 2001

South Bend Tribune 10/6/2001

Donald Joseph Kreskai, 69, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, October 3 after a lengthy illness. He passed away in his South Bend home. He was born on October 22, 1931, in Toledo, Ohio, and is preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Joseph Kreskai.

Donald was a graduate of South Bend Central High School. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command for four years. He was a member of the Air Force Association and American Legion Post 284.

On May 18, 1957, Donald married the love of his life, Joan M. DeCocq. She is left to cherish his memory along with their seven children, Patricia (Timothy) Brunkhart, Laurie (Hardus) Veen, Sue (Vincent) Freeman, David (Liz) Kreskai, Christopher (Shannon) Kreskai, Jennifer (Michael) Ortiz, Michelle (Chad) Tuttle. Donald was also the loving grandfather of Andrew Brunkhart, Melissa Brunkhart, Darren Brunkhart, Nichole Kreskai, Jessica Veen, Anthony Kreskai, Brooke Veen, Robin Brunkhart, Erika Veen, Lauren Freeman, Eric Freeman, Patrick Ortiz, Samantha Kreskai, Kathleen Freeman and a great-grandfather to Payton Brunkhart. His passing will also be mourned by a half-brother, Ronald Gentry, other relatives and many close friends.

Donald worked at N.I.P.S.C.O. for 42 years as a serviceman before retiring in 1991. He was described as a "Jack of all Trades" and volunteered for many years with both Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts. For the past four years he welcomed visitors to the College Football Hall of Fame as a volunteer.

He was a charter member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church where he served as an usher.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, October 8, 2001, in Corpus Christi Church. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, where a parish rosary will be prayed at 3:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Corpus Christi School Building Fund.