Submitted by Dan Rich

Evelyn Marie Ciula

Aug. 7, 1920 - Dec. 2, 2004

South Bend Tribune 12/5/2004

Evelyn Marie Ciula, 84, formerly of South Dundee Street, South Bend, Ind., died at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2, in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Victoria and Raymond Fleck, who have been her loving care-takers over the past four years as she battled cancer. Mrs. Ciula was born on Aug. 7, 1920, in Niles, Mich., to Norman and Clara Ray.

Her husband, Peter Ciula, who passed on in August 2000, her parents and one brother, Edwin Ray of Kokomo, Ind., preceded her in death. Evelyn is survived by seven children: three daughters, Jacquelyn Cinal of South Bend, Bernadette Dolezal (Brian) of South Bend and Victoria Fleck (Ray) of Edwardsburg, Mich.; and four sons, Bryan (Peggy) of Warsaw, Ind., Peter III (Linda) of South Bend, Michael of South Bend and Douglas (Connie) of South Bend. Also surviving are 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Evelyn and Peter were married in Denver, Colo., on June 9, 1945. Upon Peter being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army after tours during World War II, they settled in South Bend where they were longtime residents and raised their family.

Mrs. Ciula was an avid gardener of rare African violets and for years was an active member of several African Violet Clubs who shared violet cuttings from around the world. She was also an accomplished baker of cakes for weddings, birthdays and other social events. Evelyn had a way of making the most common event special with one of her artful cake designs. Her children remember and appreciate her patient involvement as a scouting den mother, active member in the PTA at their schools and many special family gatherings for Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthday parties and other family gatherings.

Family and friends may call from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5, in St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend, where a Rosary will be said at 4 p.m. Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 6, in St. Adalbert's Catholic Church, where the Ciulas have been active members since locating to South Bend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice Center of Saint Joseph County, or to St. Adalbert's Parish.