Dec.
8, 1927 - Sept. 4, 2009SOUTH BEND - Joseph C. Michael, 81, passed away peacefully at home in South Bend, on September 4, 2009, after an extended illness. He was born on December 8, 1927, in South Bend, IN, to Joseph and Clara (Piechocki) Mikolajczak. Joe is survived by his wife, Eleanor, who is the love of his life. They were married March 15, 1980, to them it was the day their lives began. Joe is also survived by a daughter, Kathleen Mueller; stepdaughter, Vicki (Tom) Reed; stepsons, Rennie Porman and Ron (Cyndee) Porman; grandchildren, Landis and Lacy Mueller, Erin Raje, Emily and Rennie Porman, Matt Reed; great-grandchildren, Jaden, Oliva and Jacob; sisters, Loretta (Gen) Klimek and Dorothy (Stanley) Borlik; nephew, Jim Leada and several other nieces and nephews. Joe served with the Army during WWII as an Optician, a career he continued until his retirement from C & B Optical One. Joe was a great man, kind caring, giving, full of joy and very loving. He loved all people and no one was a stranger to him. To him, his greatest love was his wife, Eleanor. Each day of their life together he told her he loved her, always holding hands and treasuring moments with family and friends. Joe also had a great love for animals, especially his Golden Retriever, Molly, who is waling with him again in heaven. This wonderful man lost his battle with cancer, saddening the lives of all who knew him. A very special thank you to the nurses at St. Joseph Medical Center's Infusion Center for their wonderful care of him during his treatments. To the caregivers at the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care in South Bend and Elkhart, the care, kindness and love you share are beyond words. Simply angels on earth to care for those in need without hesitation. Joe has requested there be no viewing or funeral service for him. He wanted a gathering of family and friends to celebrate his life. His wish was for all people to perform random acts of kindness. Friends may visit with Joe's family from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, September 16, 2009 in Southfield Village, Inc, 6450 Miami Circle, South Bend, IN 46614. A memorial services celebrating Joe's life, where memories and thoughts will be shared by family and friends, will be held at 6 p.m. Following the memorial, friends may one again visit with family. In lieu of flowers, please send donation to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637 or 22579 Old US 20 East, Elkhart, IN 46516.