Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 5/11/1997

Richard J. Belakovich

July 22, 1933 - May 9, 1997

Richard J. Belakovich, 63, passed away on Friday, May 9, in St. Joseph's Medical Center.

He was employed by the I&M Electric Company, and retired in 1992 after 40 years of service as a cable locator.

He was born on July 22, 1933, in South Bend, Ind., and was a lifetime area resident.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen (Sieczkarek); a sister, Sharon Mrozwinski in 1988; and by a brother, James Belakovich.

On Nov. 25, 1954, in St. Joseph Catholic Church in South Bend, Richard married Rosemary Brothers, who survives. Richard is also survived by his four daughters and their spouses, Jeanne Switalski of Granger, Ind., Karen Belakovich of Benton Harbor, Mich., Mary and Daniel Mitschelen of South Bend, and Joyce and James Stempak of Richmond Heights, Ohio; a son and his wife, Chris and Tracy Belakovich of Mishawaka, Ind.; 13 grandchildren, Stacie and Kyle Switalski, Jeremy Belakovich, Eric and Hali Jones, Shayna, Garret, Alexis and Allie Mitschelen, Lauren and Kristen Stempak, and Kaley and Morgan Belakovich; a sister, Patricia Bazyk of Hartman, Ark.; and by a brother, David A. Belakovich of Wakarusa, Ind.

Mr. Belakovich was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church and of the Knights of Columbus Council 5521. He was also a facilitator at Pathways of Memorial Hospital of South Bend.

Friends may call from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Guisinger Colonial Chapel, where a parish Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at St. Jude Catholic Church, followed by burial at Southlawn Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the church