Submitted by Dan Rich

Peter John Ciula Jr.

Dec. 14, 1918 - Aug. 18, 2000

South Bend Tribune 8/20/2000

Peter John Ciula Jr. of South Dundee Street, South Bend, Ind., died at 6 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 18, in Hospice House of St. Joseph County. Mr. Ciula was born on Dec. 14, 1918, in Knowlton, Wis., to Peter and Regina Ciula. Both his parents were originally from Poland. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by five brothers and sisters, Frank, Helen, Joseph, John and Adeline. The Ciula family relocated to the South Bend area in 1921, seeking employment at the Studebaker Corporation where both Peter Sr. and Peter Jr., along with other family members, worked for a short time.

Typical of many of the Polish immigrants of that time, the Ciulas started their own businesses and along with his father and brothers, John, Joe and Peter, operated Ciula's Grocery for 35 years, Ciula's Standard Service and Appliance, Memrose Party Hall, and several other small businesses in the area. The Ciulas began a humble property development company and were responsible for one of the earliest small housing developments in the South Bend area.

Mr. Ciula volunteered into the U.S. Air Corps where he served from 1942 to 1945 during World War II. He served in campaigns in the East Indies, Papua, New Guinea, and related islands. He was attached to the 479th Service Squadron, 90th Bomb Group. After his honorable discharge from the Air Corps, he served three years in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

On June 9, 1945, Peter married Evelyn Marie Ray, who survives. Mr. and Mrs. Ciula had recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. Mr. Ciula is also survived by seven children, Bryan of Warsaw, Ind., Jacquelyn Cinal of South Bend, Peter of South Bend, Bernadette Dolezal of South Bend, Michael of South Bend, Douglas of South Bend and Victoria Fleck of Edwardsburg, Mich.; 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and by a sister, Pearl "Sally" Jaworski.

After leaving Studebaker, Mr. Ciula joined the South Bend Range Corporation where he served for 41 years, working himself up from a production assembler to director of purchasing. Mr. Ciula was an active member of St. Adalbert parish for over 50 years and, since his retirement in 1981, could often be seen at the 7 a.m. Mass as an altar person. He was a Eucharistic minister and was a regular visitor to hospitals and nursing homes to visit, pray and to serve the Holy Eucharist. Mr. Ciula was a member of the American Legion Pulaski Post #357, Loyal of the Order of the Moose Lodge #58, Purchasing Managers Association, and the National Association of Purchasing Managers.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. on Monday in the St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Road, where a Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday in St. Adalbert Catholic Church, with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; or to St. Adalbert Catholic Church, 2420 W. Huron Street, South Bend, IN 46619.