Submitted by: Dan Rich

Paul F. Nyerges

Jan. 14, 1915 - March 25, 2002

South Bend Tribune 3/27/2002

Paul F. Nyerges, formerly of 1621 E. Madison Street, South Bend, Ind., died Monday evening, March 25, in the Fountainview Nursing Home, Mishawaka, Ind., following an illness of several months. Mr. Nyerges was 87 years old.

He is survived by his widow, the former Julia Lane, and by many nieces and nephews. Mr. Nyerges was a lifelong resident of South Bend. He retired in 1980 from the Interstate Glass Company where he served as a salesman for many years. He was active in Democratic politics and served for a time as a precinct committeeman. He was a decorated Army veteran of World War II, serving in the South Pacific.

An avid Notre Dame football fan, Mr. Nyerges loved to recount stories of his boyhood when he and his friends were admitted to Cartier Field football games by some of Coach Knute Rockne's players. In his later years he and a group of friends, known as "the geriatric coffee klatch," would meet weekly to reminisce and trade stories of their earlier years. In his Madison Street neighborhood he was known as "the lollipop man" because he always had candy available for any youngsters who came knocking at his door. He was a member of the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, and the Hungarian Civic and Democratic Club.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. today, March 27, in St. Anthony de Padua Church, Jefferson and Ironwood. Friends may call in the church a half-hour prior to the Mass. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. The Hickey Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Anthony Parish's "Go for the Gold" fund-raising effort.