Submitted by: Nadine Hardin

Name:  Kurek, Dennis Richard

Names in Obituary:  Kurek, Bronski, Wainwright, Shipley, Bowers, Hixenbaugh, Pyburn, Lombardo, Sherban

South Bend Tribune, Obituary; March 20, 2006

Dennis Richard Kurek (April 2, 1947 -- March 18, 2006)

Dennis Richard Kurek, 58, of South Bend, passed away in his Brookfield Street home at 3:45 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2006, following a long illness.

Dennis was born April 2, 1947, in South Bend as the son of Sylvester A. and Irene (Bronski) Kurek, who have preceded him in death.

On September 25, 1966, in South Bend, he married Ellen Elaine Wainwright who also preceded him in death.

Then on April 19, 1991, in South Bend he married Kathryn Jean Shipley Bowers who survives. Dennis was a lifelong resident of South Bend and graduated from Central High

School in 1965. He was employed at Coca-Cola Bottling Co. for twenty years as a truck driver and night supervisor. He also worked for Goodwill Industries for two years.

Dennis enjoyed fishing, camping and spending time with his grandchildren and family.

Along with his wife Kathryn, survivors include a daughter, Michele Lynn Kurek of Cass County MI, a son, Christopher Allen Kurek of South Bend, three step-daughters, Jennifer Kay Hixenbaugh of Panama City Beach, FL, Lori Ann Bowers and Teresa Lynn Pyburn both of South Bend, and a step-son, Scott Bowers of Houston, TX.

Two brothers, Robert Kurek and James Kurek both of South Bend, also survive Dennis, along with two grandchildren, Shane Michael Kurek of Lafayette, IN, Alyssa Marie Lombardo of Cass County, MI, and nine step-grandchildren, Bryce Byrd Hixenbaugh and Scout Anna Hixenbaugh both of Panama City Beach, FL, Scottie Pyburn, Randy Pyburn, Jonathan Pyburn, and Jenna Regulinski, all of South Bend, Thomas Sherban and Austin Bowers, both of South Bend, and Angela Marie Bowers of Knox, IN. Dennis is also survived by two nieces, several cousins, and two aunts.

Memorial services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, in Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services. Cremation will occur at Southlawn Cremation Services.

Contributions in memory of Dennis R. Kurek may be offered to The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.