Submitted by: Dan Rich

Stanley Thomas Walczak

Oct. 5, 1922 - Dec. 7, 2006

South Bend Tribune 12/12/2006

Mr. Stanley Thomas Walczak, 84, was called home to be with our Lord and Savior surrounded by family on Thursday, December the 7th. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Joan Podell Walczak. The family takes great comfort in knowing that "Grammy" and "Grampy" are once again joined together in eternal life. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Felix and Bert Haluda, and by a sister, Jane Dominiak. To many, Mr. Walczak was known as the "Christmas Tree Man," a passion that he maintained for more than 50 years. Others knew him as the "sausage man." Some came to know him better as the "ticket man." To us, he was Judge, Grampy and Dad.

Mr. Walczak will be remembered as a kind, generous, compassionate, loving father, husband, grandfather, uncle and friend. He made sure that his Polish heritage was carried into the next generation, particularly with regard to "family recipes." For most of his working life, Stan was in the construction industry. He fulfilled the true meaning of being an entrepreneur.

Surviving family members include Stan Walczak Jr. (Jill) of Aledo, Texas, and Maureen Walczak Cherry (Mark) of Charlotte, North Carolina. He also leaves grandchildren, Stan Walczak, Jordan Cherry and Blair Cherry. Also surviving is his sister, Sophie Romanowski of South Bend. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks to all his caregivers who assisted him in his declining years, including but not limited to the following: Janet, Alice the "egg lady" and Harry, Curtis, Dode, Uncle Rich, Marla and Steve, Vern, Jeannie, Sarah(2), Pat, Jimmy, all the doctors and nurses who crossed his path, and all the wonderful people from Real Services.

A memorial Mass will be held in St. Hedwig's Catholic Church this Saturday, December 16, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Warren Township Fire Department, 54837 Quince Road, South Bend, IN 46628. Cremation was handled by McGann Hay, Morningstar Funeral Home.