Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ralph S. Laskowski

June 13, 1924 - Aug. 17, 2008

South Bend Tribune 8/19/2008

SOUTH BEND - Ralph S. Laskowski, 84, of South Bend, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2008, in Regency Place, South Bend. He was born on June 13, 1924, in South Bend, to the late Edwin and Celia (Bukowski) Laskowski. Ralph graduated from South Bend Catholic High School in 1942. He went on to serve his country in WWII before returning home after an honorable discharge. On August 23, 1947, he married Dorothy Jankowski in St. Stanislaus Church, Michigan City, IN. She preceded him in death on May 6, 2008. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Ruth DePaepe. Ralph is survived by his sons, Paul (Cheryl) Laskowski of North Liberty, IN, and Phillip (Fran) Laskowski of North Carolina; three grandchildren, Bradley (Shana) Laskowski, Julie (James) Hogue and Brian (Rebecca) Laskowski; two great-grandchildren, Jack and Makayla Laskowski; and by two sisters, Mary Lou Szymanski of South Bend and Alvina (Bunnie) Rogers of New Haven, IN. Mr. Laskowski retired from the South Bend Tribune in 2001 after six years of service. He was previously employed by Dallas & Mavis Forwarding Co. for 20 years as a trucking dispatcher. He was a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church and a former member of the American Legion Post #50, South Bend.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM today, August 19, 2008, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a parish Rosary will be recited at 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Wednesday, August 20, 2008, in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, South Bend, with burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Church, 3526 St. John Way, South Bend, IN 46628.