Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Joseph William Kuharic

May 23, 1929 - Feb. 8, 1998

 

South Bend Tribune 2/11/1998

Joseph William Kuharic, 68, died after a brief illness on Sunday, Feb. 8, in St. Joseph Medical Center. He was born to Gertrude and Joseph Louis Kuharic on May 23, 1929. He was a lifelong area resident of South Bend, Ind. Mr. Kuharic graduated with a Bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of Notre Dame, and earned a Master's degree in education from the University of Notre Dame and a second Master's degree in administration from Indiana University. A prominent educator, his first position was at Hamlet Elementary as a teacher. He went to Hudson Elementary as a teacher, coach and principal. He was then appointed principal at Rolling Prairie High School. He moved to the South Bend Community School System and began his career as a teacher and coach and eventually assistant principal at Oliver Grade School. He was appointed assistant principal at Riley High School. He ended his career as an English teacher and girls basketball coach at Clay Middle School. He retired in 1992. He was a member of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association.

He owned and operated a stall at the Farmers Market in South Bend, carrying on his parents' tradition of growing perennials and hand-crafting Christmas wreaths. He served as a board member and secretary for the market.

 

Joseph married the former Alma McIntyre in Battle Creek, Mich., on June 30, 1956. She survives. He is also survived by his children, Katharine Kuharic of New York, N.Y., Ann Kimmell (Jeffrey) of South Bend, Joseph Kuharic, III, of New York, N.Y., and Paul Kuharic (Jill Crosby) of Pocatello, Idaho; and by three grandchildren, Samuel, Jack and Madeline Kimmell.

 

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Hickey Funeral Homes, 3516 East Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, where a Rosary will be said at 3 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday in St. Joseph Catholic Church in South Bend. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the Scholarship Foundation of Saint Joseph County, P.O. Box 1122-46624, South Bend, IN.