George D. Vida

Dec. 1, 1925 - Dec. 13, 2001

George D. Vida, an Elkhart, Indiana resident was fatally injured in an automobile accident Thursday, December 13, 2001, in Granger, IN. He was born December 1, 1925 to Hungarian immigrant parents in Bertrand, Michigan.

He grew up in the Michiana area, where he attended Washington High School in South Bend. After high school, in 1943, George enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific during World War II.

After his service he returned home and opened a small service station in South Bend, and married Evelyn in 1947. They had two sons, Wayne and Dane. On July 25, 1970, George married Gena G. Love of South Bend and they remained together until his death.

He is survived by his wife, Gena; his two sons, Wayne Vida (Joyce Ullery) of South Bend, and Dane (Sally) Vida of Mishawaka; three step-daughters, Karen Love Blume of Mishawaka, Kristine Love VanBelleghem of South Bend, and Beverly Love (Craig) Pryor of Cottage Grove, Oregon; a step son, James (Suzanne) Love of Edwardsburg, Mich.; eleven grandchildren; thirteen greatgrandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Rolla, Eppie, and Helene; and four brothers, John, Joe, Mike, and Louie.

During his life, George operated several small businesses, and worked for Kuert Concrete in South Bend, where he retired in 1979. He was a hard working man and was a supervisor in the Prestress Division at Kuert. During his retirement years, George and Gena lived in Las Vegas, NV, Sacramento, CA, and Bowling Green, KY. They returned to the Michiana area in 1991 and recently moved to Elkhart. He was a member of the St.

Joseph Lodge #45, F. & AM, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend, and Willow Creek United Methodist Church, Mishawaka. He enjoyed his family, liked to fish and tinkered with mechanical things. He was well respected in the community and those who knew him will miss him. He was a salt of the earth kind of guy and had a heart as big as a room.

His family, friends, and neighbors will miss him. May he rest in peace.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 19, in Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend. Rev. John Hall, pastor of Willow Creek United Methodist Church will officiate. Entombment will follow at Riverview Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Tuesday in the Palmer Funeral Home, South Bend. Memorial contributions may be offered to the Vida Family, 716 Meadow Stream Drive, South Bend, IN 46614

Source: Newspapers.com

04/13/2025 EJS