Lewis F. Nicolini

Feb. 23, 1917 - Nov. 29, 1998

Lewis F. Nicolini, 81, formerly of Mishawaka, Ind., passed away after an illness at 9:27 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29, in Sinai Samaritan Hospital, Milwaukee, Wis.

Born on Feb. 23, 1917, in South Bend, Ind., he was the son of the late John and Augusta (Antolini) Nicolini. On June 24, 1944, in South Bend, Lewis married the former Thelma Powell, who preceded him in death on Aug. 15, 1976. In November 1981 he married the former Ruth Monteith, who preceded him in death in September 1997. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Clara Nicolini; and by a brother, Gene Nicolini.

He is survived by a daughter, Mary (James Schmidt) Nicolini of South Bend; three sons, Christopher (Gail) Nicolini of Merrillville, Ind., Timothy (Virginia) Nicolini of Mishawaka and Mark (Bassy Virella) Nicolini of Milwaukee; four granddaughters, Gabrielle Polt of New York City, Stephanie and Gina Nicolini, both of Merrillville, and Monica Nicolini of Mishawaka; three grandsons, Andrew and Patrick Nicolini, both of Mishawaka, and Dominic Nicolini of Merrillville; and by two sisters, Rosemary Rooney of Ventura, Calif., and Gertrude Hedges of San Diego, Calif.

From 1960 to 1968 Lewis was the director of the State Employment Security Division, appointed by Gov. Matthew Welch and re-appointed by Gov. Roger Branigan. From 1968 to his retirement in 1979 he was the Regional Manpower Administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor, being appointed by then Secretary of Labor, Willard Wirtz.

Lewis was a 1935 graduate of Mishawaka High School, a 1940 graduate of Northwestern University, and did his graduate work at Cornell University. He served on the Mishawaka School Board in the late 1950s, and was a member of the DeAmicis Club.

He was an Army veteran of World War II, being stationed at Camp Upton, New York. Among the prestigious awards he received were the Sagamore of the Wabash, being named a Kentucky Colonel, and the Star of Italy Award.

Friends may visit with the Nicolini family from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, Mishawaka, where a Rosary will be recited at 3 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, with Fr. Robert A. Yast officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Mishawaka.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Joseph Grade School or to the charity of donor's choice