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Joseph M. Bajo D.D.S.
Nov. 25, 1917 - June 13, 2009
NOTRE DAME, IN - Joseph M. Bajo, DDS, 91, died peacefully in his sleep at 1:50 a.m. on June 13, 2009, in Dujarie House at Holy Cross Village, Notre Dame, IN. Dr. Bajo was born November 25, 1917, to Stephen and Theresa Bajo in East Chicago, IN. He was the second of four children. On July 26, 1947, in East Chicago, he married Esther H. Patai, who passed away on January 9, 1998. He received a Bachelor of Science from St. Joseph College and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Loyola Dental School. Joe served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific as a chief electrician during World War II. After the war, he began college on the GI Bill and received a BS degree, then applied to and was rejected from dental school being told he was too old. So he went to the Dean's house to plead his case; as the Dean tried to turn him away he literally stuck his foot in the door so he could continue to try and make the Dean understand. Soon after he received his acceptance in the mail. He retired from dentistry after 40 years of practice in Hammond and Highland as well as at the Indiana State Prison in Westville, caring with compassion for the prisoners. During his practice he never charged any fees for Catholic priests, nuns or brothers. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in East Chicago, IN, and St. Pius X Parish in Granger. He was an avid marathon runner, having completed the 26.2 mile race twenty - six times around the country and once ran the Chicago 50 - mile marathon. He won the New York City Marathon in his age group when he turned 60. A devout Catholic he was a pious man who loved his wife Esther and his family and taught them by his example in the way he lead his life. "The G - Man," as he was fondly referred to by many of his grandchildren, is survived by his sister, Elizabeth "Beta" (Harold) Coolidge of Lewiston, MT; five children, Kathleen (Dr. J. William Wiand) Bajo of Orlando, FL, Dr. Thomas Bajo of Scottsdale, AZ, Tessa (J. Patrick) McGann of Granger, IN, Dr. Joseph Bajo of Las Vegas, NV, and Dr. James (Roxanne) Bajo of River Forest, IL; many nieces and nephews including a niece, Jacki Patai; 10 grandchildren, Kelly (Aaron) Bell, Shawn McGann, Bridget McGann, Collin McGann, Hannah Bajo, Alyssa Bajo, Joseph Bajo, Jake Bajo, Phillip Bajo and Elliot Bajo; and two great - grandchildren, Macy Bell and Cole Bell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Rev. Phillip Bajo and Dr. Michael (Betty) Bajo, and three Dalmatian running partners, all named Jack. A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Joe's life will be held at 9:30 a.m. EST, 8:30 a.m. CST Tuesday, June 16, in the chapel in Dujarie House at Holy Cross Village, Notre Dame, IN, where friends may call from 9 - 9:30 a.m. EST, 8 - 8:30 a.m. CST. Rev. Kenneth E. Grabner, CSC, a former patient of Dr. Bajo's, will be the celebrant. A committal service and burial will follow at 12:15 p.m. EST, 11:15 a.m. CST, at St. John's Cemetery on 167th in Hammond, IN, Msgr. Joseph F. Semancik, a family friend, officiating, followed by military honors. Dad was lovingly cared for by all his family, especially all the wonderful caregivers at Dujarie House. Donations in memory of Joe may be made to Holy Cross Village, P.O. Box 303, Notre Dame, IN 46556; or to have Masses said at any parish. We love you Dad, Grandpa, G - Man, Uncle Joe.
Bret A. Huffman
Nov. 16, 1976 – June 8, 2009
GRANGER – Bret Allen Huffman, 32, of Granger passed away in his residence Monday.
He was born on November 16, 1976 in Elkhart to Steve A. and Nancy F. (Weeks) Huffman who survive of Granger. He was married on Oct. 1, 2005 in Chattanooga, TN to Ashleigh M. (Greenwell) Huffman who survives of Chattanooga. He was a carpenter working in the home construction industry.
He was predeceased in 1982 by his brother Joshua Steven Huffman. Other survivors include: two sisters: Jennifer (Fraser) Coffeen of Chicago, IL, and Cara (Steve Reinbrecht) Huffman of Fischers, IN; Maternal Grandmother Barbara Weeks and Paternal Grandparents Leslie and Jane Huffman all of Edwardsburg, MI; his Father and Mother - in - law, Allen and Rebecca Greenwell of Chattanooga; three sisters - in - law: Amber Greenwell of Chattenooga, April (Jet) Heng of Hilo, HI, Amanda (Brian) Cowan of Chattanooga; a brother - in - law Allen Greenwell of Chattanooga; two nephews and a niece.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11:00am at Christ the King Catholic Church, SR 933 and Darden Rd., cremation will followed. Friends may call from 9:00am to 10:00am at McGann Hay, Granger Chapel 13260 SR 23, (enter off Cherry Rd). Memorials may be given to McGann Hay to help with final expenses.
Bridget K. McCaffrey
Jan. 29, 2008 - June 7, 2009
GRANGER - Bridget Katherine, beautiful daughter of David and Kimberly McCaffrey of Granger, passed away on June 7, 2009, at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. All will miss Bridget's twinkling eyes, her curly hair and her infectious smile. Bridget suffered from kidney disease and was on dialysis working towards a kidney transplant. During her short life she touched the lives of people around the world. She was a bright, inquisitive and inspiring child. Even on the days when she didn't feel well she always had smiles for everyone. She loved to dance and listen to music, adored all animals, and always found joy in some of life's simplest pleasures. For her entire story, please seewww.cotaforbridgetm.com/blog. She is survived by her grandparents, Richard and Frances Boulds of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and David and Carol McCaffrey of Annandale, Virginia; godparents, Tim and Michelle Joyce of Granger; three aunts, Marie (David) Beougher of Saline, Michigan, Eileen (Chris Sloane) McCaffrey of Richmond, Vermont, and Theresa (Greg) Beatty of Arlington, Virginia; and six cousins. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, June 12, from 4 - 8 PM in the McGann Hay Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23 (enter off Cherry Road). A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 13, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 226 North Hill Street in South Bend. In order to properly honor Bridget's memory, donations may be made in her name to The PKD Foundation (www.pkdcure.org, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 400, Kansas City, MO 64114 - 3367) or to Ronald McDonald House Charities (www.rmhc.org, Attn: Charitable Accounting, One Kroc Drive, Oak Brook, IL 60523).
Virginia M. Kurtz
Feb. 26, 1910 - June 7, 2009
SOUTH BEND - Virginia M. Kurtz, 99, a lifetime resident of South Bend, passed away June 7, 2009, in her home with her children near her side. Born February 26, 1910 in South Bend, she was the daughter of Hiram and Bertha (Haas) Rose. They preceded her in death. On October 12, 1929, she married Charles E. Kurtz. He preceded her in death in 1994, just short of their 65th Anniversary. She was also predeceased by her daughter, Janet Hitch; son, Larry Kurtz; two brothers, Dale and Carl Rose; and daughter - in - law, Diana Kurtz. Virginia is survived by two daughters, Vivian Blankenship of South Bend and Rose (Ron) Grabowski of Granger, IN; son, Gary Kurtz of South Bend; twenty nine grandchildren; and many great grand and great - great grandchildren. She was a wonderful mom and grandma, and will be greatly missed. Mrs. Kurtz was a charter member of the People's Church. Friends may call Tuesday, June 9 (today) from 4 - 8 PM at the McGann Hay, Forest G. Hay Chapel, 435 S. Ironwood Dr. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday at the funeral home at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, or to the Lion's Club.
June D. Nimtz
June 7, 1920 - June 7, 2009
MISHAWAKA - June D. Nimtz died Sunday June 7 at the at of 89. She was born in 1920 near Clinton, IN also on June 7. Survivors include her husband, Wesley; sons, Douglas, Eric and Christopher. A Memorial services will be held in the Tanglewood/jCrestwood Community, Mishawaka on Sunday June 14 at 5:30 p.m. Donations to the Center for Hospice, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637 McGann Hay Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Otto A. Bird
June 5, 2009
SOUTH BEND - Professor Otto Allen Bird, Founding Director of the General Program of Liberal Studies at the University of Notre Dame, died June 5, 2009 in his sleep. He received his bachelor's degree in English and his master's degree in English and Comparative Literature from the University of Michigan and his doctorate in philosophy from the University of Toronto. He taught at St. John's University in New York. He was Associate Editor of the Syntopicon, the analytical index of the Great Books of the Western World, published by the Encyclopedia Britannica. He was Editor of Great Ideas Today, and worked closely with philosopher Mortimer Adler. In 1950, he founded the General Program of Liberal Studies, based on the Great Books, at the University of Notre Dame. He retired from Notre Dame in 1977. He was the author of several books, including his autobiography, Seeking a Center: My Life as a Great 'Bookie.' In 1936, he married Evelina Bills Polk, who predeceased him. He is survived by eight children: Kate Bird (Joe Volz) of Frederick, Md.; Bill (Evelyn) of Prescott, Az.; Mike (Diane) of Loogootee, Ind.; Tony (Roni) of Noblesville, Ind.; Evie Bird Haas (Dick) of Mequon, Wisc.; Chris (Erika) of Ashland, Ore.; Sarah Bird (Ken Peczkowski) of South Bend; and Barry (Charlotte Cook) of Rockville, Md. He also is survived by 19 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren and a sister, Margaret McGimsey. All five of his sons and three of his grandchildren graduated from the General Program. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2 to 4 pm at McGann Hay Funerals & Cremations, University Chapel, 2313 Edison Road, South Bend, Ind. His funeral will be on Monday at 9:30 am at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery on the Notre Dame Campus.
Rachel Agnes Cossey
Oct. 20, 1925 - June 3, 2009
NILES - Rachel Agnes Cossey, 83, passed away June 3, 2009. She is survived by a son, William R. Cossey, Sr.; three grandchildren, William R. Jr. (Becky), Todd and Stevie Cossey; and two great - grandchildren, Beth and Brittney Cossey; two nephews, Larry (Abby) and Garry (Debbie) Neal; and a special friend, Margaret Bowker. Memorial services will be held at 1 PM on Friday, June 12, at the McGann Hay, University Chapel, 2313 E. Edison Rd. South Bend, where friends may call one hour prior. Burial will follow at Saint Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the McGann Hay Funeral Home, to help with final expenses.
Constance R. Lovejoy
Oct. 1, 1919 - June 2, 2009
YORKTOWN, IN - Constance (Connie) Ruth Lovejoy, 89, passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2009, after a brief residency at The Waters of Yorktown, Yorktown, IN. She previously had been a resident of South Bend/Mishawaka for 33 years residing at St. Paul's Retirement Community since 1999. Connie was born October 1, 1919 in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Cecil Baker and Ina (Westgate) Bryant. She graduated from the University of Michigan and received her Masters degree from Ball State University. Connie was a retired teacher from the South Bend Community School Corporation. She had been an active member of First United Methodist Church of Mishawaka, and before that, First United Methodist Church of South Bend. She concentrated her efforts on social activism and in 1994 was the recipient of the Reinhold Niehbuhr Volunteer of the Year Award. Surviving are 5 of her 6 children: Theresa Ann Spiegel (husband Andras) of Philadelphia, PA; Becky Brandon of Muncie; Nancy Faith Lovejoy Hassard (husband Jason) of Oakland, CA; Owen Bryant Lovejoy (wife Anita) of Black Mt., NC; and Amy Lovejoy Fisher of Mishawaka. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and 8 great - grandchildren. Connie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 33 years, Omar Harrison Lovejoy, her daughter Sandra Elizabeth Lovejoy of Phoenix, AZ, her brother Baker Bryant and sister Iva Novak. Services will be at 3:30 PM on Sunday, June 7, 2009 at First United Methodist Church of Mishawaka, 201 E. 3rd St. with Rev. Ron Bowman officiating. Visitation will be an hour before the service at the church. Memorial contributions can be sent to First UMC of Mishawka or The Parkinson's Association.
Katherine R. Kizer
Jan. 2, 1919 - June 4, 2009
BERRIEN CENTER - Katherine R. Kizer, 90, passed away June 4, 2009. Born January 2, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Talfred and Sylvia (Werner) Richardson. In 1942, Katherine married Porter L. Kizer. He preceded her in death in 1998. Katherine is survived by one son, Robert "Bob" (Ellen) Kizer of Niles, MI; and one brother, Bill (Donna) Richardson of Portage, MI. For many years, she worked as a beautician in her own home. Private graveside services will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Lakeland.
