Name Age Place of Birth > Place of Death Newspaper Publication Date Submitter
HODAPP, Walter B84 Carlyle IL>Mishawaka IN CarlyleUB (IL) 17 Dec 2008 fch 

Walter B. Hodapp

March 1, 1924 - December 9, 2008

Walter B. Hodapp, 84, of Mishawaka, Ind., passed away Tuesday morning, December 9, 2008, in his home.

He was born March 1, 1924, in Carlyle, a son of the late Walter and Elizabeth (Kolbrecker) Hodapp. He grew up in Carlyle and served his country in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He moved to Michigan to attend the University of Notre Dame where he earned both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree. At that time, he met his future wife Elizabeth "Betty" Meunick. They were married on April 19, 1952, and they went on to raise ten children.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka where he served as an usher. He also held memberships with the Notre Dame Alumni, VFW Post 360 and American Legion Post 161. From the Knights of Columbus in Mishawaka to waitresses in Fort Myers, Fla., He didn't take up residence anywhere without making friends and leaving impressions. He devoted every Sunday morning to Mass and spent many a holiday season handing out Tootsie Rolls in exchange for a little Christmas charity. For family gatherings, one could always find him in his chair, Miller Lite in hand, and during football season, with the Fighting Irish on TV. He was a quiet man, who only spoke when necessary, but never let his sarcastic sense of humor go to waste.

He faithfully served his church, his family, and his community for over 80 years. Not many people can say that. Though he didn't wear his heart on his sleeve, he took pride in his accomplishments and in those of whom he loved. And throughout his life, from his career as an Aerospace Engineer at Bendix Corporation (Honeywell) to his faith and benevolence, he was an example to live by and will be remembered for that.

Surviving family includes his four sons, Michael of Ocala, Fla., Richard of Mishawaka, Ind., James of Oveido, Fla., and Paul of Kissimmee, Fla.; six daughters, Suzan Bixler of Osceola, Ind., Patricia Chabot of Sioux Falls, S.D., JoAnn Byrum of Land O'Lakes, Fla., Mariellen Weatherman of Coloma, Mich., Elaine Davis of Liberty Lake, Wash., and Lori Siguenza of Niles, Mich.; 14 grandsons, Mark, Mathew, Brandon, Eric, Robert, Steven, Kevin, Jesse, Justin, Brian, Maverick, Jarod, David and Joseph; six granddaughters, Jacquelyn, Amy, Michele, Melonie, Stacey and Stephanie; eight great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; two brothers, Donald Hodapp of Bethalto and Clarence Hodapp of Carlyle; and two sisters, Helen Hollenkamp and Marilyn Miller both of Carlyle.

In addition to his wife, Betty, he was also preceded in death by two brothers and a sister.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday, December 13, at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka, with Rev. Terry Fisher officiating.

Burial followed in Fairview Cemetery. Military Honors were provided by the VFW 360 / American Legion 161 Burial Squad.

Goethals and Wells Funeral Home in Mishawaka handled the arrangements. 

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