Submitted by: Dan Rich

Joseph E. Garstecki Sr.

Dec. 4, 1938 - Jan. 25, 2003

South Bend Tribune 1/28/2003

Joseph E. Garstecki Sr., 64, of Peach Road in South Bend, Ind., passed away following a lengthy illness at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, in Memorial Hospital. He was born on Dec. 4, 1938, to the late Stanley Sr. and the late Florence (Aftowski) Garstecki in South Bend, and was a lifelong resident. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Stanley Garstecki Jr.

Mr. Garstecki retired in 2001 from Signature Inn, where he served as a maintenance supervisor for seven years. Prior to that, he served as a supervisor for 25 years with South Bend Toy and for 11 years with Alcoa Building Products.

On Sept. 21, 1968, he married Judith M. Wituski at St. Casimir Catholic Church in South Bend. She survives. He is also survived by a son, Joseph E. (Tina) Garstecki Jr. of South Bend; a granddaughter, Sabrina M. Garstecki of South Bend; two sisters, Barbara (Jerry) Deeds of Mishawaka, Ind., and Betty Garstecki of Mishawaka; and by a brother, Jack Hayes of Mishawaka. Mr. Garstecki was a member of St. Casimir Parish, and was a U.S. Army veteran, serving his country from December 1957 until November 1963. He enjoyed cooking and baking for his friends and family.

Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 28, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a parish Rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, in St. Casimir Catholic Church, with Rev. David J. Porterfield, C.S.C., officiating. Cremation will follow. Burial will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Casimir Catholic Church, 1308 Dunham Street, South Bend, IN 46619.