Submitted by: Dan Rich

Stephen DeBlase

Dec. 8 1872 – July 3, 1953

South Bend Tribune 7/3/1953

SOUTH BEND – Stephen DeBlase, 79, of 1214 S. Fellows Street, died at 9 a.m. today in his home after a seven-month illness. He was born in Italy Dec. 8, 1872, and had lived in South Bend 75 years coming from Italy.

On April 21, 1898, he married Maggie Matacla in Chicago. He was a fruit and vegetable merchant. Surviving are his widow; 12 children, Mrs. Katherine Fotia, Mrs. Anna Fotia, Miss Christine, Miss Mary, Miss Santina, Edward. Mike, Samuel, Gus, Frank, Joseph and Steven Jr., all of South Bend; two grandchildren and a sister Mrs. Mary Martino of Chicago.

Friends mall call in the Orvis Funeral Home after noon Saturday. Services will be at 9 a.m. Monday in St. Matthews Catholic Church, with Rev. Matthew Wibbert officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery. Mr. DeBlase was a member ofd the Modern Woodmen of America.