Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 3-3-2006

Gordon L. Dosmann

March 9, 1925 - March 1, 2006

Gordon Louis Dosmann, 80, of South Bend, passed away at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1, 2006, in Southfield Village, South Bend, after a stubborn fight with cancer. Gordon's closing moments were with family at his side.

On March 9, 1925, Gordon was one of twin sons born in Mishawaka to Anthony and Helen (DeGroote) Dosmann. A lifelong area resident, Gordon grew up in Mishawaka, attending St. Joseph Grade School and Mishawaka High School. Like countless others of his generation, Gordon gained comfort and strength from his family and put faith in God to withstand the hard-scrabble Depression years. Gordon honorably served his country during the trials of WWII. A member of the United States Navy, Gordon served in the European Theater, participating in the Normandy Invasion and the Pacific Theater on the M.S. Permian and the S.S. Steel Ranger.

On November 16, 1946, Gordon married Pearl Nadine Longenecker in St. Monica's Catholic Church in Mishawaka. They were longtime members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka. A father every son should have, Gordon did his best to provide for his family yet found time to teach his boys how to fish for walleye, hunt for mushrooms, hunt rabbits and squirrels, participate with their sports, 4-H and Boy Scout endeavors. He continued on with his grandchildren's activities. Gordon was employed at Studebaker's, Kaiser Jeep and retired from Bendix in 1989. Whether it was repairing sensitive industrial gauges or building a house, Gordon could do it; and if Gordon couldn't do it, his identical twin brother “Gerv” could - a dynamic duo. They truly were skilled craftsmen. Gordon melded his metal-sculpting ability with his legendary expertise to produce many fine and unique works. Gordon shared with his wife Nadine an enthusiasm for antique collecting and garage sales. An avid bowler, Gordon really enjoyed his times with friends at Chippewa Lanes. The sporting pastime dearest to his heart however was fishing for walleye. While Gordon may not have always caught the first, the most or the biggest, he absolutely relished every minute spent going after walleye.

On January 25, 2005, Nadine, Gordon's wife of 58 years, passed away. Also preceding him in death were Gordon's parents and a brother, Richard. Gordon's surviving family includes his three sons, David M. (Bobbi) Dosmann of Lakeville, Marc A. (Kay) Dosmann of Goshen and Scott A. Dosmann of South Bend; a brother, Gervase (Laurie) Dosmann of Mishawaka; grandchildren, Tim (Mechelle) Dosmann of Edwardsburg, Michael Dosmann of Ithaca, NY, Amie (Zachary) King of Chicago and Andy Dosmann of Suriname, South America; step-grandchildren, Jamie (Nancy) Mann of Lapaz and Pat Mann of South Bend; great-grandchildren, Deven and Daphne Dosmann of Edwardsburg.

Friends may spend time with the family today from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Thallemer, Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 West Third Street, Mishawaka, where the Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 225 S. Mill Street, Mishawaka, with Rev. Robert Yast officiating. Cremation will follow with burial at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Logan Center, to the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care or to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes are available in the funeral home.

“They came of age during the Great Depression and the Second World War and went on to build modern America - men and women whose everyday lives of duty, honor, achievement, and courage gave us the world we have today.” By Tom Brockaw