GERTRUDE E. SCHREINER

June 29, 1924 - Sept. 26, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Gertrude E. Schreiner, (86), passed away on September 26, 2010 in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Susan M. and Doug Willoughby of North Riverside, IL, where she had been residing for the past two months.. Gertrude was born on June 29, 1924 to the late Anthony and Rosella Mikula.

She graduated from the former Central High School.

On June 28, 1947, she married Joseph S. Schreiner (who preceded her in death), at St. Stanislaus Church in South Bend. They enjoyed 49 memorable years of marriage. They were fortunate enough to able to live out one of their travel dreams - to travel to Hawaii - twice. While exploring the northern end of Oahu, they were able to experience yet another happy occurrence - that of personally meeting the star of one of their favorite television series, "Hawaii Five-O", Jack Lord, while he was filming on location there. Trudy was a very creative and artistic person who enjoyed drawing, crocheting, raising flowers and was an excellent cook. She had a voracious appetite for reading - be it a biography, politics, nature or a good novel. She was also an enthusiastic Notre Dame fan. Trudy was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and American Legion Post 357. First and foremost, Trudy's priority was her family. She was a very nurturing, supportive, loving and unselfish mother and grandmother. She was her childrens' best friend. Additionally, she was an inspirational mentor to her grandchildren. She will be missed beyond words by her family and all others who knew her. But she will now be in everlasting peace and happiness with her "soul mate" and husband, Joseph.

Gertrude is survived by her four children, Carolyn R. Schreiner of South Bend, Jacquelyn M. Melser (Jim) of South Bend, Susan M. Willoughby of Chicago, Illinois (Doug), Joseph A. Schreiner of South Bend. A fifth child, Anthony J. Schreiner, died in infancy. She has seven grandchildren - Aaron D. Nowak, Michelle J. Nowak, Jamie Melser, Tony Melser, Jerry Willoughby, Casey Willoughby and Aja (Willoughby) Doyle. She also has two great grandchildren - Sydney Doyle and Liam Doyle. Also surviving is a sister, Lorraine Hadary of South Bend.

Two brothers, Edward Mikula and Stanley Mikula, preceded her in death.

Her family will receive friends from 4 pm to 8 pm at Kaniewski Funeral Home on September 29, 2010. Family and friends may gather on, September 30, 2010 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 52473 State Road 933 to celebrate Trudy's life at a 10 am Mass. Burial services will follow at Riverview Cemetery in South Bend. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice of South Bend, Vitas Hospice - Lombard, IL or the American Heart Association.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Sep. 28, 2010.

02/27/2023 EJS