Submitted by: Dan Rich

Eugene M. Nowak

Jan. 10, 1928 - Dec. 22, 2008

South Bend Tribune 12/23/2008
SOUTH BEND - Eugene M. Nowak, 80, of South Bend, passed away Monday, Dec. 22, 2008, in the Sanctuary at St. Joseph's in South Bend. Mr. Nowak was born January 10, 1928, in South Bend, to Michael F. and Carrie (Botka) Nowak. He retired in December 1989 from AM General and had been employed with the Bendix Corporation, Curtiss Wright Corporation, Great Lakes Foundry and the Studebaker Corporation. On January 28, 1947, in St. Adalbert Catholic Church, South Bend, Eugene married Delores A. Slaybough and had 60 wonderful years of marriage before Delores passed away on October 24, 2007. Surviving are his children, Jean Ann (Stanley) Kaminski of Rathdrum, Idaho, Rosie Nowak of South Bend, Clair (Jim) Calentine of Elkhart, Kitty (Allen) Wheat of South Bend, Thomas (Miriam) Nowak of Goshen and Michael (Cassandra) Nowak of South Bend; grandchildren, Toni, Andrea, Lisa, Thomas, Sarah, C.J., Kera, Jim, Alex, Michael N. and Michael C.; great-grandchildren, Jessica, Ben, Cameron, Ali, Chelsea, Conner, Alyssa, Beth Ann and Espen James; a great-great-grandchild, Axstyn Willow Olson; a sister, Lucille (Tony) Radecki of South Bend; and Michael (Nancy) Nowak of South Bend. A sister, Eleanor Graham, and a brother, Stanley Nowak, preceded him in death. Eugene was a long-standing member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church where he participated faithfully in the Eucharist Hour on Thursdays. He was very passionate about racing pigeons. He was a member of the South Bend Liberty Racing Pigeon Club from 1969-1999 and served as race secretary for many years. Eugene was a 1st class Seamen in the Navy, serving from 1945-1946.