Aug. 1, 1917 - March 16, 2010SOUTH BEND - Stephen Paul Wincek Sr., 92, passed away at 12:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at Southfield Village, South Bend. Steve was born in South Bend on August 1, 1917, to the late Frank and Elizabeth (Demko) Wincek. Also preceding him in death were his wife, Mary Alma (Pozvar) Wincek; brothers, Frank and George Wincek; and his sisters, Anna Shipley and Catherine "Katie" Rhoades. Left to remember him forever as our Dad, Grandpa, Grandpapa and friend are his daughter, Carole Sue (Cliff) Grimm of South Bend; his son, Stephen P. (Cindy) Wincek Jr. of Louisville, KY; granddaughter, Christine (Dallas) Dunn of Indianapolis, IN; grandsons, Gregory (Kerrie) Wincek of Fishers, IN, and Douglas (Kathy) Wincek of Louisville, KY; five beautiful great-granddaughters, Kaelin, Katherine and Megan Wincek of Fishers, and Addison and Carly Wincek of Louisville; and his beloved friend, Bertha "Bert" Pearish. Steve attended the former Oliver Elementary, Central and Washington High Schools. He proudly served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s. Upon his return from serving in the CCCs, Steve met the former Mary Alma Pozvar. They were wed on January 31, 1942, at the former St. Stephen's Hungarian Catholic Church. Steve was drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1943. Within six months, he was stationed in England where he was assigned to the Medical Supply Corps in Burton on the Trent. Steve returned to South Bend in November 1945. Steve was employed at the George H. Wheelock Silver and China Company before the war and continued after his return until their closing in 1960. He retired from the former Bendix Corporation after 22 years as a supervisor. Steve and Alma celebrated their 25th anniversary with a trip to the Hawaiian Islands. They traveled throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and South America until Alma's death in April 1986. For the next several years, Steve spent his time traveling to visit his son in Louisville and his daughter in Virginia Beach, VA. In 1993 Steve met Bert Pearish and a new chapter of his life began. Trips, bowling, card playing and dancing filled his days. At the same time, his grandchildren became married and started families. He became Grandpapa and loved seeing his five girls reach each milestone of their lives. Steve's family meant very much to him. He was proud of his children and grandchildren and of the successful lives that they have made for themselves. He was a role model to each generation, and it was his unconditional love, respect and encouragement that has made his family close-knit and strong. Christmas Day dinners with the entire family will be one of the many traditions that will be sorely missed by all. Steve was a volunteer at St. Joseph Hospital for many years, acquiring more than 1000 hours of service. He was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church, a member of Knights of Columbus #5570, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a member of the Bendix Salaried Retirees Club. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 19, 2010, in St. Jude's Catholic Church, South Bend. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may visit with the family from 3-8 p.m. today, March 18th, in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, where a Rosary will be at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Stephen P. Wincek Sr. may be donated to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; or to the American Cancer Society for Multiple Myeloma, 601 W. Edison Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. Steve's family wishes to thank Dr. Bilal Ansari and his entire staff for the care and concern extended to him over the past four years. Thank you to Southfield Villages, Meadows and Arbor, Hospice and Comfort Keepers for their support in his final days. DAD WAS A GENTLEMAN