Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 8/28/1999

Ralph C. Kuss, Sr.

May 2, 1912 - Aug. 25, 1999

C. Kuss, Sr., 87, of South Bend, Ind., died following an illness at 2:05 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 25, in Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Kuss was born on May 2, 1912, in Porter County, Ind., to Charles F. and Catherine R. (King) Kuss, and lived in the South Bend area for most of his life, coming from Wanatah, Ind. On Nov. 15, 1935, in LaPorte, Ind., he married Marie Fischbacher, who survives. He is also survived by two sons, Ralph C. Kuss, Jr., and Phillip J. Kuss; five grandchildren, Michael, Gregory, David and Jeffrey Kuss, and Brenda Brodkorb; two great-grandchildren, Lindsey and Amber Kuss; and by three sisters, Annabel Frohwerk, Elsie Jones and Ruth Kalwitz.

Mr. Kuss retired as the general manager of the Portage Oil Company in 1977 after 30 years of service. He was a member of Lydick United Methodist Church, was a founding member of the Warren Township Volunteer Fire Department, and was a Navy veteran of World War II.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday in the Welsheimer Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 319 S. Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601.