WALTER G. FALTYNSKI

Mar. 16, 1941 - April 27, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Walter G. Faltynski, 71, of Osceola, IN, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family at 12:15 AM, April 27, 2012 after his courageous battle with ALS, "Lou Gehrig's Disease." Walt was born and raised in the memory-filled east Ardmore side of South Bend with his brother, Rich (Beverly) Faltynski, sons of Valentine "Chip" and Pauline Faltynski.

He attended Central High School where he met the love of his life, Irene Cichosz.

After his years of service in the United States Army, on October 15, 1966, Walt and "Renie" married, moved to Mishawaka and raised their beautiful family of five children: Jeff (Andrea) Faltynski, Jenny (Scott) Franko, Jill (Jim) Keszei, Julie (Chris) Clarke, and Jodie Faltynski.

Walt is survived by his wife, children and ten wonderful grandchildren: Danielle, Abbigail and Jay Franko, Drew and Conrad Keszei, Ryan and Kyle Faltynski, and Ellie, Josie and Codey Clarke. Also surviving is his sister-in-law, Helen Marciszonek, and many nieces and cousins.

Walt was a businessman who possessed the true spirit of an entrepreneur, always enjoying the challenge and thrill of enterprise, ideas and invention. In his lifetime, he owned a bakery, a video rental store and most recently founded US Signcrafters, Inc., still in operation today. Walt's contributions to the sign industry started at Burkhart Advertising. While there, he worked in sales and invented the "Bee-Line" pre-pasting machine now sold and used by many other outdoor advertising companies throughout the world. Walt touched hundreds of people and businesses in Michiana with his unending humor, genuine positive attitude and his love of signs.

Walt was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka, Indiana and the Rotary Club. He was known for his jokes. You could not be around him without laughing and becoming a friend. Walt was an encourager. He loved his Chicago Cubs, the Bears and Notre Dame. He truly lived life by practicing what he preached: you get out of life what you put in, and never give up. That was put to the test on November 14, 1992 when he suffered a severe heart attack that led to a long fight with heart failure. But true to his word, he never gave up. In May of 2010, he received a new heart by organ transplant from a donor who saved his life, Robert Zhongjie Yin, survived by Jeremy Zhiming Yin and Sandra Giger, and his brother, Alex Zhongkui Yin.

In the end, Walt was with his family - what he most treasured in life, as he entered into the arms of God through his loving son, Jesus Christ, his Savior and Lord.

Visitation for Walt will be from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 30, 2012, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana, where a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2012, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, Indiana. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend. Donations to his memory and honor can be made to the American Heart Association, Hospice, and to the ALS Association.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Apr. 29, 2012.

01/17/2023 EJS