Submitted by: Dan Rich
March 8, 1944 - April 20, 1998
South Bend Tribune 4/22/1998
Joseph Stante, 54, beloved son, husband, father, teacher, coach and friend, died on Monday, April 20, as he was teaching a Latin class at Trinity School. Joe was born on March 8, 1944, in South Bend, Ind., to Dominick (now deceased) and Mary Stante.
After graduating from Riley High School, he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education from Indiana University. He served in the Army Reserve and worked in Workforce Development, but his heart was in teaching. He taught at Marquette and Wilson Elementary Schools, as well as for 10 years at Trinity, where he also served as dean of boys and coached soccer, baseball and basketball. He was mentor and friend to many, many young people. A member of Christ the King Catholic Church and the People of Praise, Joe put his Christian faith into practice. A memorial fund has been established in his honor at Christ the King.
Joe and Caron (Olson) were married on Feb. 2, 1980, in South Bend, and are the parents of five children, all still at home: Catherine, Joseph, Jon, Stephen and Matthew. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Stante of South Bend; and by two sisters, Loretta Westbrook of South Bend and Dr. Carol Stante of Lockspur, Calif.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. today at Christ the King Catholic Church, with a wake service from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday in the church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Stante Family Fund, c/o Smith Barney, 211 W. Washington Street, Suite 2200, South Bend, IN 46601. The Welsheimer Funeral Home is handling arrangements.