Submitted by: Dan Rich

Carl J. Wendzonka

March 16, 1938 - Sept. 21, 2002

South Bend Tribune 9/27/2002

Our dad, Carl J. Wendzonka, was demanding and opinionated, and always wanted the best from his kids. He was also always there for us, to walk in the woods with Brian or to take Lynne to a friend's home or to teach Trevor how to do home repairs.

Our dad died at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, from a massive heart attack. He was 64 and happy, even spending his final hours having a good time at a neighborhood picnic and playing with his beautiful black lab puppy, Misty.

Dad was born March 16, 1938, the son of Clemens and Agnes (Borowski) Wendzonka. Growing up, he lived on Cedar Street across from St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend. He loved Marlene Cserpes forever, and made it official on July 15, 1961. They were introduced on New Year's Eve 1956 by Grandma Agnes, who just knew Marlene would be her daughter-in-law some day. Together, Mom and Dad made the area their home for 41 years.

Dad served in the military police for the U.S. Army from 1957-60, stationed in Williamsburg, Va., Colorado Springs and White Sands, N.M. He returned home to work for Sheet Metal Workers Local 20 until his retirement in June 2000.

Our Mom survives in Elkhart. Brian and wife Cathy live in South Bend with their daughter, Kimmy. Lynne is also a lifelong area resident, and she gave Dad seven grandchildren, Adam, Christy, Vince, Andrew, Brooke, Keith and Rusty. Trevor and wife Mary live in Edwardsburg, Mich. Other survivors include his sister, Cynthia, and brother, Paul, both of South Bend. His youngest brother, John, lives with wife Oy in Moreno Valley, Calif.

Dad loved woodworking and bird-watching and sunsets over Lake Michigan. And for his love of the water and lighthouses, our family is asking for donations to be made in Carl Wendzonka's honor to the Great Lakes Historical Society, P.O. Box 435, 480 Main St., Vermilion, OH 44089.

A private memorial service is being planned for a later date at the lighthouse pier in St. Joseph, Mich.

The Palmer Funeral Home, Osceola, is handling arrangements.