Submitted by: Dan Rich

Joseph William Speybroeck Sr.

Jan 31, 1920 - June 6, 2003

South Bend Tribune 6/9/2003

Joseph William Speybroeck, 83, of Ironwood Road, South Bend, Ind., died at 11 a.m. Friday, June 6 in Memorial Hospital after an illness. Mr. Speybroeck was born Jan. 31, 1920 in Marshall, Minn., to the late Maurice and Sabina (Vanaltorst) Speybroeck and had lived in South Bend since 1940.

On Sept. 15, 1945, in South Bend, he married Helen J. Medich, who survives. Also surviving are one daughter, Carol (Robert) Handley of Granger, Ind.; three sons, Joseph W. (Kathy) Speybroeck Jr., Bob Speybroeck and David (Myong) Speybroeck, all of South Bend; seven grandchildren, David, Dustin, Jason, Shawn, Braden, William and Wendi; three great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Marge Grogan of Peoria, Ariz., and Marie Christianson of Sioux Falls, S.D.

Mr. Speybroeck retired as an equipment operator for the St. Joseph County Highway Department in 1984. He had also been employed by the Oliver Corporation and as a truck driver for the Drewry's Brewery from 1953 to 1972. He was a Staff Sargent in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a life member of the VFW Post 624, and a member of the B K Club of Mishawaka, and Little Flower Catholic Church. He was a avid Chicago Cubs and Notre Dame fan and served as a Notre Dame Usher from 1946 until 1995.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 11 in Little Flower Catholic Church with Rev. Donald Dilg C.S.C. officiating. Military Rites and burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 10 in the Welsheimer Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.