Nov.
12, 1912 - Mar. 30, 2010MISHAWAKA - Oscar M. Schelstraete, 97 of passed away on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in St Charles Health Campus, Jasper, Indiana. Oscar had been a lifelong resident of Mishawaka. On December 25, 1936 he married the former Esther Laser in Bremen, Indiana who preceded him in death on October 14, 1999. Oscar was born on November 12, 1912 in Mishawaka to Henry and Romaine (Fiers) Schelstraete. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Mary Ann Schelstraete on November 1, 1961; two brothers, Emil and Michael and a sister, Irma Schelstraete. Surviving are his daughter, Janet (Jim) Lifke of Santa Claus, Indiana; three grandchildren, Jill (Tom) Ellis of Brentwood, TN, Janice (Brian) Witherow of Huron, OH and Steve (Pam) Lifke of Akron, OH; seven great grandchildren, Laura, Emily and Carloine Ellis, Matthew and Allison Witherow, and Claire and Evan Lifke and a sister Martha Rodts of Mishawaka. Oscar worked for the Mishawaka Fire Department for 24 years before retiring in 1968. He began his working career at the Ball Band, then with Vic Trippel Plumbing, and was self-employed in the sheet metal business and home construction. He was an active member o St. Joseph Catholic Church wher he had served on the Parish Council under Msgr. Suelzer. Oscar was also a member of the Mishawaka Knights of Columbus Council 1878, the Fourth Degree Father Nieuwland Assembly 242 in South Bend, the Retired Police and Fireman Association, the De Amici's club and the Mishawaka High School Alumni Association. Family and friends may visit with Oscar's family on Monday, April 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. with a rosary at 3:30 and then continued form 6 to 8 p.m. in Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, April 6 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka with Father Terry Fisher officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church handicapped ramp fund or to the Mishawaka K of C, Council 1878 Building Fund. To leave the family an online condolence or to share memories with the family, please visit our website at www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.