Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SZYMAREK

Pfeifer

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – March 16, 1998

Sylvester Szymarek

Nov. 17, 1921 - March 15, 1998

SOUTH BEND - Sylvester Szymarek, 76, born on Nov. 17, 1921, in South Bend, Ind., departed this life on Sunday, March 15.

He was formerly employed at Studebaker for 22 years and retired after 17 years from AM General.

On June 15, 1946, he married Irene Stopczynski. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Irene; a son and his wife, Tom and Jode Szymarek of North Liberty, Ind.; a daughter, Sandy Pfeifer of Granger, Ind.; six grandchildren, Gregory, Mikael and Nikolas Szymarek of North Liberty and Jamie, Corey and Gabrielle Pfeifer of Granger.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Frank and Mary Szymarek; and by three brothers, John, Al and Larry Szymarek.

Sylvester was honorably discharged from the First Medical Battalion of the Army of the United States of America in 1944.

He was a member of the Polish National Band in 1938. He was a drummer for 65 years, and the only standing drummer in South Bend who was with George Kurdys and his band. Sylvester's own band, the ''Polka Masters,'' won the trophy for second place in Chicago.

He was past commander and member of the Army and Navy Post 146, American Legion Pulaski Post 357, Color Guard and life member of D.A.V. Chapter 39, Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 58, U.A.W. Union, and past president of the Ushers Club of St. Stanislaus, Terre Coupe, St. Casimir and St. Anthony De Padua of South Bend.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in St. Anthony De Padua Church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, where members of the American Legion Pulaski Post 357 will conduct military services.

Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, where a parish vigil will be held at 4 p.m.

Donations may be made in memory of Sylvester Szymarek to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.