Sgt. Robert Walter Nowacki

Sep. 18, 1947 - Nov. 18, 2014 (aged 67)

Robert Walter Nowacki, 67, passed away peacefully Tuesday at the South Bend Hospice House with loved ones by his side. He was born to the late Elgin W. and Gertrude A. (Wolkiewicz) in South Bend on September 18, 1947, and was a lifetime area resident.

In Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church on December 16, 1967, he married the love of his life, the former Rozanne Hedl, who survives of Granger. Bob was the owner of Granger Decorating and worked as a painter for most of his career retiring in 2010. He was a decorated Vietnam War Veteran having attained the rank of Sergeant, earning several Purple Hearts and the Army Commendation Medal for heroism and meritorious achievement. He and his wife are parishioners of St. Pius X Parish. Bob's life revolved around his grandchildren and attending their sporting events and school activities. Bob also enjoyed working outdoors.

Along with his wife Rozanne, he is survived by two sons: Kenneth R. (Jessica) Nowacki and their two children: Lucas and Shawn; and Craig M. (Shelley) Nowacki and their three children: Ethan, Dawson and Jillian all of Mishawaka; also a sister Patricia DeRue (Don) Nemeth of South Bend. Besides his parents, Bob was predeceased by a brother Thomas (Bethel) Nowacki of Mishawaka, on March 23, 2014, and a brother-in-law, Thomas DeRue, a South Bend Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty on November 14, 1974.

Friends may call on Sunday from 4-8pm at McGann Hay Funerals | Cremations | Gatherings, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23, enter off Cherry Rd. with a parish Vigil Service at 4pm. The Mass of Catholic Burial will be celebrated at St. Pius X on Monday at NOON with visitation before Mass from 11-11:50am, Msgr. William Schooler, officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Bob's honor are asked to consider the following: St. Pius X Building Fund, 52553 Fir Rd., Granger, IN 46530, The Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor, 100 Lourdes Hall, St. Mary's Convent, Notre Dame, IN 46556, or to The Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. To share memories or send condolences to the family and for directions log on to: www.McGannHay.com

01/06/2026 DEC

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