EDWARD J. "MICKEY" MOLENDA, DDS

April 8, 1923 - Dec. 28, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Dr. Edward J. "Mickey" Molenda, 87, of South Bend, IN, passed away at St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka after a long illness. He was born April 7, 1923, in South Bend, IN to Frank and Anna (Przybylski) Molenda.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Virginia (Mattens) Molenda of Mishawaka; daughters, Patricia Marin (Alfredo) of Muncie, IN, Dr. Cynthia Molenda (Dr. David Matthews) of Fort Wayne, IN, and Katherine Hale (Mark) of Redmond, WA; and sister, Elizabeth (Betty Molenda) Anastos. He was preceded in death by wife, Bessie (Anton) Molenda; and brothers, Dr. Frank, Jr. and Dr. Robert V. Molenda. He is also survived by grandchildren, Amanda Bantz, Alexander Bantz, Lauren Hale and Bess Molenda; and great-grandson, Jackson Edward Bantz; stepsons, Roger Mattens (Carol) of Richland, MI; David Mattens (Dianne) of Whidbey Island, WA; stepdaughters, Marcia Stevens (John) of Plainwell, MI; Valerie Knapp (Russell) Edwardsburg, MI; as well as 11 step grandchildren and 13 step great grandchildren.

Edward was graduated from South Bend Washington High School, Indiana University, and the Indiana University School of Dentistry, Class of 1957. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and, after beginning his practice as a dentist in South Bend, also served our country in the U.S Naval Reserve as a Commander.

He was an active board member of the South Bend Lions Club, especially with their corneal transplant donation program and had spearheaded the effort to fluoridate the water in St. Joseph County. His dedication to his dental community was strong as well and had been a member of the Indiana State Board of Dental Examiners. He had served as president of the following organizations: St. Joseph County Dental Society, North Central Academy of General Dentistry, St. Joseph County Health Advisory Council, Michiana Practice Administration, and the Children's Dispensary of the Medical-Dental Staff. He also served on the following boards of directors: Indiana Public Health Council, Indiana State Regional Health Planning Council, and the Indiana State Peer Review Committee. He was chairman of the Memorial Hospital Outpatient Clinic/Dental and served as Senior Advisor for the St. Joseph County Dental Assistants Society and Chairman of the Indiana University Foundation Fund. He was honored with induction into the Fellowship of both the American Academy of General Dentistry and the International College of Dentists. He had also assisted in the training of many beginning dental assistants and hygienists resulting in his being honored with a Citation Award by the IVA for his service and support of vocational education. He was president of the Knife and Fork Club and enjoyed membership in the Elks Club and several local dance clubs.

Mickey was a man of many interests with an extraordinary level of energy and zest for life. He loved music, cats, shopping for bargains, ice cream, dancing, gardening, sports, (especially Notre Dame football), telling jokes and teasing people. He had traveled the entire world with great gusto and a sense of adventure. In 1997 he took his entire family on a three week Greek Odyssey where they all traveled together from the far north of Greece down through the entire country, culminating in a cruise of all the major Greek Islands. Always known as a sharp dresser, he could always be found sporting the latest fashion - a debonair gentleman at all times.

But, most of all, he was a beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. He will be dearly missed and never forgotten! He fought a long and difficult battle to survive six years after initially being given a 72-hour projection of survival. As he fought to triumph over the medical fate that finally took his life - one of his favorite sayings was "we're winning" and also "a winner never quits, and a quitter never wins" - and, even though his time here is over, all who knew him well see him as the ultimate victor - an example of a life fully lived and enjoyed. His last words to his children were, "I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you." And that emotion was returned many times over.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 2, 2011, at Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN where a Trisagion Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 3, 2011 at St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church, 52455 N. Ironwood Road in South Bend. Committal services and Military Honors will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Pet Refuge, 2300 W. 6th Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544 or St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church. For those who are unable to attend the funeral service, condolences for the family may be left at www.welsheimer.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Jan. 2, 2011.

05/04/2023 EJS

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