Submitted by: Dan Rich

Joseph Schelstraete

Jan. 18, 1924 - Oct. 31, 2005

South Bend Tribune 11/3/2005

Joseph Schelstraete, 81, of West Sixth Street in Mishawaka, died after a brief illness at 6:07 a.m. Monday, October 31, 2005, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend. Joe was born January 18, 1924, in Mishawaka, to the late Michael and Margaret (De Sloover) Schelstraete. He was preceded in death by one sister, Elsie Hobkirk; and two brothers, Prosper and Edward Schelstraete.

On January 20, 1951, he married Barbara J. Taylor in South Bend, Indiana. Barbara survives along with one daughter, Suzanne J. (Edward) Trojanowski of Elkhart; one son and his fiancé, Joseph M. (Debbie Barnes) Schelstraete of Mishawaka; five grandchildren, Courtney (Andrew) Geary, Jennifer McKinney, Amy (Eric) Norris, Kathleen Schelstraete and Eric Schelstraete; five great-grandchildren, Parker and Skyler Norris, Lucas and Taylor McKinney, and Grace Geary. Also surviving are one sister, Sharon Dewey of Mishawaka, and one brother, Michael Schelstraete of Centreville, MI.

Joe worked for Dodges from 1942 until 1947, and for nine years at Jay's Potato Chips from which he retired in 1985. He was best-known for working in the West End at the West End Dairy, the Farmer's Dairy and McDonald's Dairy for 21 years, delivering milk to all the West End neighborhoods. He was a member of St. Bavo Catholic Church, and was an avid Notre Dame and Chicago Cubs fan. Along with his wife and family, his other true love was his pets. For most of his life, Joe donated time and money to the Girls and Boys Town organization.

Friends and family of Joe called Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th St. Mishawaka, where the holy Rosary was recited at 3:30 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held today at 10 a.m. in St. Bavo Catholic Church, with the Rev. Barry England officiating. Entombment will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola. Contributions in memory of Joe may be made to Girls and Boys Town, 13940 Gutowski Road, Boys Town, NE 68010-7535.