Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ernest A. Wasikowski

March 11, 1920 - Sept. 8, 1999

South Bend Tribune 9/10/1999

Ernest A. Wasikowski died in his home Wednesday afternoon of natural causes. He was born in South Bend to John and Helen Wasikowski, who both preceded him in death. He was the youngest of six children who have all preceded him in death and are now reuniting with their ''baby brother.''

On May 25, 1944, while serving in the Air Force during World War II in Idaho, he married Bernice Zmudzinski, who was also from South Bend. She died in 1977. He leaves behind three devoted daughters and sons-in-law: Linda and Gene Pianstki of South Bend, Diana and Jim Alexander of Osceola and Marcia Mikolajewski of South Bend. ''Papa Ernie'' is also survived by six grandchildren who loved and respected him: Beth and Brad Pianstki of South Bend, Matthew Alexander of Dublin, Ohio, Amanda Alexander of West Lafayette, Indiana, and Bryan and Leslie Mikolajewski of South Bend. When hearing the sad news about his death, one of the grandchildren remarked ''Papa is still the coolest.''

Our dad lived a busy and rewarding life. As a high school captain of his Washington High School football team, he led his team to a state championship; he worked as an airplane mechanic during the war, and at several local factories including Studebaker. In his middle years he went back to school and learned a new career in a brand new field: Computers! He retired from the South Bend School Corporation as a computer operator. Dad spend his retirement years doing what he loved most, fishing. He spent many summers fishing at Lily Lake in Jones, Michigan. When he was no longer able to fish, he kept busy around the home, tending his yard and vegetable garden in the summer and plowing the snow in the winter on his small tractor around his S. Camden Street neighborhood.

Family and friends may call from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. today in the St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Road, where a Rosary will be held at 4:00 p.m. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday in St. Adalbert Catholic Church, with entombment to follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Dad, we love you. We will miss you. You will remain forever in our hearts.