Submitted by: Alice Marie Beard

Obituary from South Bend Tribune: 

William H. Lechlitner

Dec. 27, 1927 - Aug. 29, 2009

MISHAWAKA - William H. Lechlitner, 81, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, August 28, 2009, in Golden Living Center Fountainview, Mishawaka.  William was born on December 27, 1927, in Mishawaka, as the son of the late Herbert Guy and Helen Pearl (Crowel) Lechlitner.  He was also preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn Clawson.    On January 1, 1948, in St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, Mishawaka, William married the former Hattie Lois Steffens, who survives along one daughter, Margaret (James) Dillman of Elkhart; three sons, Thomas (Cynthia) Lechlitner of Granger, Herbert (Susan) Lechlitner of Lakeville and David (Debra) Lechlitner of Mishawaka; nine grandchildren, Jacqueline (Matt) Denman, Jennifer, William, Benjamin, Bradley, Stephanie, Adam (Crystal), Brooke Katelyn Lechlitner; four great-grandchildren, Tyler and Mckenzie Lechlitner, Jaxon and Zoe Denman; and a sister, Lois (William) Merritt of Mishawaka.   

William was veteran of the Air Force, serving his country as a staff sergeant in the Photo Tech Lab at Chanute Air Force Base.  He was employed by Bendix Allied Signal in South Bend in the machine shop for 27 years before retiring in 1985.  He was a member of St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, Mishawaka, and the F&AM Mishawaka Lodge 130.  He was an avid outdoors man who loved boating, fishing, camping, mushroom hunting and gardening.  He had many accomplishments in his life including flying, electronics, photography, and was a talented builder.  Friends and family may call on Tuesday, September 1st, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 2nd, at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home, with Rev. Eva L. Buthy of St. Andrew's United Church of Christ officiating.  Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, with military rites being observed by V.F.W. Post 360 / American Legion Post 161 Mishawaka Burial Squad.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; or to St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, 320 E. 4th Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544.