Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Paul T. Berndt

April 18, 1921 - Oct. 1, 2008

 

South Bend Tribune 10/3/2008
SOUTH BEND - Paul T. Berndt, 87, of South Bend, passed away on Wednesday October 1, 2008, in Morningside Nursing and Memory Center, South Bend. He was born on April 18, 1921, in South Bend, to the late Otto and Julia (Foldenauer) Berndt and was a lifelong area resident. On January 20, 1945, he married Lea Kariger, who survives. Along with his loving wife of 63 years, he is survived by six daughters, Carol (Richard) Kruszewski and Paula (Edwin) Richard, both of Indianapolis, IN, Mary Lovett and Joanne (Tom) White, both of South Bend, Marian (Trey Grubbs) Berndt of Tallahassee, FL, Lisa (John Abrahams) Berndt of Duluth, MN: and two sons, Mark (Mary) Berndt of Warner Robins, GA and Joseph Berndt of Milan, MI; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Jane (Zane) Trinkley, Joan Berndt and Julianne Berndt, all of South Bend; and two brothers, Rev. Alan Berndt, O.S.B. of South Dakota and Richard (Angie) Berndt of South Bend. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Berndt; two sons, John and Alan Berndt; a sister, Margaret Couch; and a brother, Wilmer Berndt. He worked in the trim shop at Studebaker for 23 years and retired as an inspector at Wheelabrator in 1982.

 

He was a long-time parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church, where he sang in the choir and was a lector, a World War II Air Corp. veteran, China Burma India (C.B.I.), a member of the American Legion Post #50, Knights of Columbus Santa Maria Council #553, the Barbershop Chorus-Valleyaires, the Forever Learning Institute Chorus and a UAW retiree. Paul volunteered at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center for many years, accumulating more than 3500 hours of service. He was a member of the Northern Indiana Philatelic Society as an avid stamp collector. He was an usher at Notre Dame football, basketball and hockey games as well as a loyal Cubs fan. He helped many people by donating blood and had given 20 gallons. He was an expert woodworker and could repair or create anything out of wood.

 

Visitation will be from to 2 to 6 p.m. on October 5, 2008, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a parish Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday October 6, 2008, in Christ the King Catholic Church, with burial to follow in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, IN. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church, 52473 S R 933, South Bend, IN 46637 or to Blue Cloud Abbey in South Dakota.