Submitted by: Dan Rich

William J. Ganser Sr.

July 3, 1913 - May 30, 2005

South Bend Tribune – 6/2/2005

William J. Ganser Sr., 91, of St. Paul's Retirement, formerly of Douglas Road, South Bend, died Monday morning, May 30, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center. William was chief engineer in charge of the power plant at The University of Notre Dame for over 40 years. He was born July 3, 1913, in Mishawaka, to Aloysius and Mary (Bosworth) Ganser, who preceded him in death.

On April 25, 1938, he married Thelma Fonteyne, who died December 28, 1968. On July 4, 1970, he married Frances Henderson, who died December 6, 1997.Surviving are a daughter, Rose (David) Ganser-Schwartz of Reevesville, South Carolina; seven sons, Robert (Linda) Ganser of North Canton, Ohio, Michael (Marion) Ganser of Topeka, Kansas, Daniel Ganser of Lafayette, Ind., William Ganser Jr. of South Bend, Christopher (Kelly) Ganser of Crawford, N.J., George (Stephanie) Ganser of Carmel, Ind., and Steven Ganser of Marcellus, Mich.; three stepdaughters, Susan Henderson and Linda Constant, both of Mishawaka, and Sally Fruchey of Osceola; two stepsons, Terry and Curtis Henderson, both of South Bend; 31 grandchildren and 15 great- grandchildren; a sister, Jo Ann Drozd of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and a brother, James Ganser of Glen Falls, N.Y. A sister, Marion Updike, and three brothers, Richard, Ralph and Martin, preceded him in death. William was a member of Sacred Heart Parish, graduate of the International Correspondent School, former member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4263, and was an avid HAM radio operator, K91FX.

Services will be held at 3:30 p.m. today, June 2, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus. Cremation will follow, with interment at a later date at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka.

Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. today (Thursday) in the HICKEY Funeral Homes, 17131 Cleveland Road. Memorials may be made to the Cancer Society of St. Joseph County, 711 E. Colfax, South Bend, IN 46617; or to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.