Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT 4/29/1999

Joseph B. Molenda

Sept. 6, 1924 - April 26, 1999

Joseph B. Molenda, 74, of South Bend, Ind., died unexpectedly of natural causes at home on Monday, April 26.

Mr. Molenda retired as a Trooper from the Indiana State Police Department in 1979 after 29 years of service. After retiring as an Indiana State Trooper, he worked as a Security Guard for Memorial Hospital in South Bend, where he retired in 1990.

He was born to Valentine and Anna (Kozlowska) Molenda on Sept. 6, 1924 in Elkhart, Ind., and had lived in South Bend most of his life, coming from Elkhart.

On May 8, 1954, he married Pauline C. Chikar in South Bend. She passed away on Sept. 4, 1990. He was also preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and four brothers.

Mr. Molenda is survived by three daughters, Audrey E. (Dennis) DeSchepper of Bremen, Ind., Maureen M. (Paul) Carrera of Walkerton, Ind., and Laurie A. Molenda (John Marson) of Granger, Ind.; two sons, Patrick M. (Rosanne) Molenda of South Bend and Bernard J. (Susan) Molenda of Winston-Salem, N.C.; 12 grandchildren; a brother, Frank (Marilyn) Molenda of Walker Lake, Nev.; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Parish and was a Navy Veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday in Christ the King Catholic Church, with Rev. Gary S. Chamberland, C.S.C., officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a Parish Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Midwest Affiliate, Memorial & Tributes Program, P.O. Box 88-541, Chicago, IL 60680-1541 or to Hospice of St. Joseph County, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637-3437.