Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ellen M. Troeger

Aug. 7, 1917 - May 25, 2002

South Bend Tribune 5/26/2002

Ellen M. "Lonnie" Troeger, 84, of Buchanan, Mich., formerly of South Bend and Mishawaka, Ind., died following a lengthy illness at 12:50 a.m. Saturday, May 25, in the Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Niles, Mich.

Mrs. Troeger was born Aug. 7, 1917, in South Bend, to the late Alex and Margaret (Gustola) Kocsis, and was a lifetime area resident.

On Sept. 22, 1943, as Ellen M. Kocsis, she married Andrew C. Troeger, who preceded her in death July 12, 1974. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Marcus; and by a brother, William Kocsis.

She is survived by a daughter, Sandra (Ken) Kessler of Columbus, Ohio; a son, John A. (Nancy) Troeger of South Bend; four grandchildren, Kelly Kessler of Toledo, Ohio, Kristin Ekanem of Columbus, Kevin (Nicole) Kessler of Canton, Mich., and Andrew J. Troeger of South Bend; and by one great-granddaughter, Briana Ekanem of Columbus.

Mrs. Troeger was a member of St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, the Christ Child Society and Morris Park Country Club. She was involved in athletics all her life. She was a member of the Hoosier Beer Girls Softball Team for whom she played catcher, played competitive volleyball for South Bend Turners in the '50s, and played golf with the Morris Park 9-Hole League for many years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 29th, in St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, 2120 E. Jefferson Blvd., with Rev. Terry Fisher officiating.

Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 28th, in the Welsheimer Funeral Home, 521 N. William Street.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Christ Child Society, 1124 Thomas Street, South Bend, IN 46601.