Submitted by: Dan Rich

Joseph G. Chwalek

March 17, 1919 - Nov. 7, 1997

South Bend Tribune 11/9/1997

OSCEOLA - Joseph G. Chwalek, 78, of Rogers Street, Osceola, Ind., died at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, in his residence. Mr. Chwalek was born on March 17, 1919, in LaPorte, Ind., and had lived in this area all of his life. He retired in 1984 from the former Allied Products.

In July 1942 he married Virginia Krzyzaniak, who preceded him in death on Oct. 20, 1954. On April 6, 1959, he married Julie B. Opaczewski, who preceded him in death on June 28, 1993. Mr. Chwalek was also preceded in death by a daughter, Kathleen Fritz, who died on Nov. 23, 1989; and by a brother, Edward Chwalek, who died in October 1996. He is survived by two daughters, Jacqueline Jacobs of South Bend and Margaret Caprous of Valparaiso, Ind.; a son, Michael Chwalek of Osceola; two stepdaughters, Kathleen Summers and Barbara Zakrzewski, both of South Bend; a stepson, George Zagrzejewski of Granger, Ind.; 21 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Sophia Martynowicz and Carrie Martynowicz, both of South Bend, Kathryn Rapela and Jean Rozewicz, both of Mishawaka, Ind.; and by a brother, Stanley Chwalek of South Bend.

Mr. Chwalek was an Army veteran of World War II, a member of American Legion Pulaski Post 357 and Polish National Alliance Lodge 83.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday in the St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. on Monday in the funeral home, where a Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend.