Submitted by: Dan Rich

Irene Rose Gergacz

Jan. 20, 1921 - Sept. 7, 2008

South Bend Tribune 9/11/82008
SOUTH BEND - Irene Rose Gergacz, 87, of South Bend, died following a lengthy illness at 8:10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in her residence. Irene was born January 20, 1921, in South Bend, to the late Nickolas and Theresa (Kovacsics) Gergacz, and was a lifetime area resident. She is survived by a niece, Patricia A. (Ray) Hammerschmidt of East Lansing, MI; a nephew, John W. (Joan) Gergacz of Lawrence, KS; great-niece and nephew, Sara and Eric Hammerschmidt; and her longtime friend, Vicki (David) Niswonger of Granger, IN. Irene retired in 1981 from the Bendix Corp. after 38 years service. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church where she participated with the Altar and Rosary Society and parish council. She was a former member of the Park Avenue Neighborhood Association Board of Directors, was a member of the Indiana Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, UAW Bendix Local #9, Bendix Election Board and Election Committee, Bendix Pistol Team, St. Joseph County Democratic Women's Club, and served as vice president of the St. Joseph County Young Democrats. She had served as a Democratic Precinct Committeewoman since 1955. She was also a Bicentennial fire hydrant painter and volunteered at the South Bend Public Library. The family would like to express their thanks and extreme appreciation to the nurses and aides of Memorial Home Care and the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care for their wonderful care over the past few years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12th, in St. Patrick's Catholic Church, with Rev. Leonard Chrobot officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from noon until 1:30 p.m. Friday in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home, 521 N. William St. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 309 S. Taylor St., South Bend, IN 46601.