Submitted by: Dan Rich
Leon C. Maenhout
South Bend Tribune 1/7/2007
MISHAWAKA - Leon C. Maenhout, 86, of Victoria Court,
Mishawaka, passed away peacefully at 11:35 p.m. on Thursday,
January 4, 2007, in his home. Leon was born on March 18, 1920, in
St. Joseph County, IN, and was the son of the late Achiel and
Zulma (Van De Voorde) Maenhout. He was also preceded in
death by a son, Lee Craig Maenhout, a brother, Raymond Maenhout,
and by a sister, Cecelia Thornton.
On November 3, 1945, in Mishawaka, he
married the former Irene Hanley, who survives. Also
surviving are a daughter, Debra Lynn (John) Pokorski of
Peachtree City, GA; three grandchildren, Thad (Suzannah) Pokorski,
Scot Pokorski and Beth (Jeremiah) Ellis, all of Georgia;
two great-grandchildren, Olivia Pokorski, and Noah Ellis; and a
sister, Elsie Maggioli of Mishawaka.
Leon was a lifetime area resident.
He served his country during WWII with the
United States Airborne, 509th Parachute Infantry Division. From
1963 to 1984 he was a partner in the Donlon-Lofgren-Maenhout
Architectural firm. He worked on the design of many local schools
and buildings in this area. For the next 10 years he was building
commissioner for the City of Mishawaka, retiring in 1994. In his
youth he was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, earning the
rank of Eagle Scout. Leon was a member and past president of the
Mishawaka Kiwanis Club and a member of the Knights of Columbus
Council #1878 4th Degree and was a member of VFW Post #360,
Mishawaka. He was a lifetime member of St. Bavo Catholic Church,
Mishawaka. He enjoyed playing golf, bridge, painting with water
colors and traveling. He was a wonderful, loving husband, father,
grandfather, great-grandfather and friend who will be truly
missed by all who knew and loved him.
Friends may call from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. today, January 7th, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, with wake prayers at 3:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 8th, in St. Bavo Catholic Church, with Rev. Barry England officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka. The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all of the caregivers who have made such a difference to Leon and the family, especially Toni Krakowski for all of her efforts. Contributions may be made in memory of Leon to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; or to St. Bavo Catholic School, 511 W. 7th Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544.