Submitted by: Dan Rich

Richard Gerard Vaerewyck

Oct. 22, 1908 - April 23, 1998

South Bend Tribune 4/25/1998

Richard Gerard Vaerewyck, 89, of West 11th Street, Mishawaka, Ind., died following a lengthy illness on Thursday, April 23, at home. Mr. Vaerewyck was born on Oct. 22, 1908, in Bevern Wass, Belgium, to the late Alphonse and Louise (DeCauwer) Vaerewyck, and came to the United States at the age of two. He lived in Mishawaka since 1920, and graduated from St. Bavo's parochial school in 1924.

On Aug. 27, 1932, he married Janet Helen Hathaway, who preceded him in death on Nov. 23, 1995. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Frank, Joseph and Louis Vaerewyck; and by a sister, Mary Smith LaPorte. He is survived by two daughters, Sally (Frank) Walter of North Chicago, Ill., and Shirley (Anthon) Hajek of Miami, Fla.; two sons, Eugene (Janice) Vaerewyck of Pueblo West, Colo., and Larry Vaerewyck of Chesterton, Ind.; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and by a sister, Sally Ladd of Bradenton, Fla.

Mr. Vaerewyck worked in the meat processing industry (Major Brothers/Hygrades) for 50 years. He was an usher at the University of Notre Dame football stadium for 40 years.

There will be no visitation. Hahn Funeral Homes, 505 W. Eighth Street, Mishawaka, is handling the arrangements, and interment will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, Ind. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 27, at St. Bavo's Catholic Church, 511 W. Seventh Street, Mishawaka. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637-3437