Submitted by: Dan Rich
South Bend Tribune 3/23/1999
Malvina DeWispelaere, 97, who resided with her daughter on South Meade Street, South Bend, Ind., formerly of 706 S. 33rd Street, died at 2:05 a.m. on Monday, March 22, at the Ironwood Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born on Oct. 31, 1901, in Ursel, Belgium, and had lived in this area since 1905. She was an employee of the former Wilson Brothers for 20 years.
On Aug. 22, 1922, in South Bend, at Sacred Heart Belgian Church, as Malvina DeGraeve, she married Edmond DeWispelaere, who preceded her in death on Sept. 30, 1981. Mrs. DeWispelaere was also preceded in death by three brothers, Julius DeGraeve, Alphonse DeGraeve and Gerard DeGraeve. She is survived by her daughter, Jeannette (Louis) Ciesielski of South Bend; a son, Edmond (Germaine) DeWispelaere of Sparks, Nev.; six grandchildren, Dominic Ciesielski, Mark Ciesielski, Paul Ciesielski, Daniel DeWispelaere, Lawrence DeWispelaere and Susan Tigani; and by three step-grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. DeWispelaere was a member of the Rosary Society and Harvest House, both of St. Adalbert Catholic Church. She was a 25-year member of both St. Anthony De Padua Catholic church and St. Monica Catholic Church. Family and friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday in the St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Road, where a Rosary will be said at 4 p.m. Services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday at St. Adalbert Catholic Church where she was a member. Rev. Daryl Rybicki will be officiating. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society or to the St. Adalbert Catholic Church Building Fund.