Washingtion 1942 Chester C Bentkowski

May 21, 1924 - June 5, 2017

Condolences

SOUTH BEND - Chester Bentkowski, 93, passed away on Monday, June 5, 2017.

Chet was born May 21, 1924, in South Bend, to the late Casimir and Mary (Lewandowski) Bentkowski. He currently resided at Caring Junction, Mishawaka, and formerly at the Waterford at Edison Lakes in Mishawaka.

On June 21, 1952, in St. Mary National Catholic Church, Chet married Irene (Chrapliwy), who survives, along with their sons, Steven (Jane) Bentkowski Sr. and Kenneth Bentkowski; grandchildren, Steven (Shannon) Bentkowski Jr., Patrick (Jessica Watreas) Bentkowski and Kaylee (Ryan Stratton) Lawson; great-grandchildren, Steven “Trey” Bentkowski III, Jaxon Harrison, and Liam and Holly Stratton; sisters, Josephine Dembinski, and Evelyn Lyczynski; brother-in-law, Harry Skierkowski; sister-in-law, Josephine Thews; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Rose (Erwin) Kalka, Lorraine (Theodore) Piechocki and Patricia Skierkowski; and brothers-in-law, Raymond Dembinski, Leo Lyczynski, and Curtis Thews.

After graduating from Washington High School Chet honorably served our country as a sergeant in the Army during World War II in the Battle of the Bulge. His awards included The European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, The Victory Medal, Good Conduct Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster Medal.

Chet retired from UniRoyal (formerly Ball Band) after 45 years of service. He was a member of St. Mary PNCC and served as President of the Frederick Chopin Choir. He was elected Chairman of the Board of the Diocesan United Circle Choirs of the PNCC and held the office of President of the Northern Indiana Circle Choir for many years. Chet served on the Parish Committee, he was secretary of the church insurance for 25 years, then in 2000, he was honored by St. Mary Parish for his many years of service. He was the president for the Central Polish-American Organization when the Copernicus Scholarship was initiated. Chet was a member of ZB Falcons Nest 80, and St. John and St. Casimir Golden Cluster. He also served on the committee for the first Ethnic Festival in South Bend.

The family would like to thank Cora, Virginia and Katie, his VA caregivers; Risa, Kim and the staff at Caring Junction; and the staff at Waterford.

Visitation for Chet will be held from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Friday, June 9, 2017, in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Rd., with a Funeral Ceremony to begin at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Mary National Catholic Church, 159 Summit Dr., South Bend, IN 46619.

Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net.

Published in South Bend Tribune on June 8, 2017

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/southbendtribune/obituary.aspx?n=chester-c-bentkowski&pid=185742633&fhid=8736&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.864E5pjk.dpuf

jmc 8jun2017