Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

WITUCKI

Hymes

Lalley

Lancaster

Obringer

Schwanz

Soleta

Wiseman

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – March 21, 2005

Obituary: George J. Witucki

Nov. 24, 1936 -- March 19, 2005

George Jerome "Jerry" Witucki, 68, of Lilac Road, South Bend, died at 12:35 a.m. Saturday, March 19, in Saint Joseph Medical Center.

Jerry was born Nov. 24, 1936, in South Bend, to George J. and Lottie (Soleta) Witucki. He was a life long resident of South Bend, attending Holy Cross Grade School, and was a 1954 graduate of South Bend Central High School. Jerry served our country as a United States marine, stationed in Japan from 1957 to 1960.

On May 26, 1962, in Holy Cross Church Jerry married Patricia M. Lalley, who survives. Also surviving are his daughter, Jeanne Obringer of South Bend; two grandchildren, Jane and J.C. of South Bend; his two sisters, Loretta (Calvert) Lancaster of Cheverly, Md., and Rita (Ned) Schwanz of Venice, Fla.; three nieces, Deborah Ann Schwanz of St. Petersburg, Fla., Charlene (Ray) Wiseman of LaPlata, Md., and Pam (Tony) Hymes of Strausburg, Pa.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Patrick Schwanz.

After serving in the Marine Corps, Jerry proudly served the South Bend community as a firefighter for 38 years. He rose to the rank of Battalion Chief before retiring in 1998. He was an active member of Holy Cross Church his entire life. Jerry was also an avid gardener and landscaper. His backyard was always filled with an amazing display of flowers and vegetables. In 2001, the Art League of the South Bend Museum of Regional Art selected his home to be featured for The Garden Walk Arts in Bloom XIII. Jerry also loved fishing, cooking and traveling around the country to explore new places and experiences.

Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, where a rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, in Holy Cross Church, 1020 Wilber St., South Bend. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, Ind.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 534 W. Edison, Unit 6, Mishawaka, IN 46545.