In Memory
Reported by Buzz Hayworth
Nancy Kaye Chmiel
Apr. 11, 1942 - Oct. 18, 2007
MISHAWAKA - Nancy Kaye Chmiel, 65, passed away Thursday in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend.
She was born April 11, 1942, to Lola Mae (Gilmore) and Norman T. Compton. She was preceded in death by her father, her stepfather, Clyde Wise, and an infant daughter, Robin.
Survivors include her husband, Joe Chmiel; mother, Lola Mae "Jo" Wise of South Bend; siblings, Diana Korpal of South Bend, Kathy (husband Ronald) Sayer of Elkhart, Ginny (husband Daryl) Holycross of Plymouth and Ronald (wife Georgianne) Compton of South Bend. Surviving children are her son, Robert "Bob" Egyhazi; and daughters, Rebecca (husband John) Mackowicz, Denise (husband Steve) Domonkos, Dana (husband Dean) Spaid and Stacey (husband Lindy) Seitz. Her 16 grandchildren were her pride and joy: Marisha, Kelsey, Connor and Lexi Egyhazi, Brandon Ford, Zach Hughes, Mason, Jared and Seth Mackowicz, Sam, Ben and Jacob Domonkos, Emily and Richard Spaid, Cameron and Clayton Seitz. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who will miss her greatly.
As an influential presence in their lives, she always found time to be involved whether it was to tutor homework and assist them with special projects, play, laugh, talk or just being.
Nancy graduated from Central High School in South Bend and from IUSB with a master's degree in education. As a teacher at Battell School for 25 years she had a profound influence on the lives of her students. She still kept in touch with many of them and could hardly go out in public without someone saying, "Hi Mrs. Chmiel... bet you don't remember me. I was one of your students." Although she occasionally needed a little prompting, she almost always did. Because of her high academic standards and teaching methods, her students were able to excel academically. She was very proud that many were able to use what she taught them all the way through college.
Music was a very important part of her life. She grew up with music which included the Central High School marching band, the River Bend Chapter of Sweet Adelines and various church choirs. She was on the praise team at the New Beginnings Fellowship Church and a participant in the In Harmony vocal group at the Battell Center. Nancy was one-third of the "Comp-tones," singing acapella harmony with two of her sisters for over 50 years. After a 30-year hiatus, the weekly practices and their increasingly frequent performances were some of the high points of her life. Even in the hospital with oxygen, she was singing with her sisters and family up to the final hours of her life.
She was a member of the Helping Hands 4-H Club in German Township for 10 years and won many championship and blue ribbons for her projects. As a Comp-tone, she participated in Share-The-Fun activities for eight years, winning grand champion ribbons every year of competition.
For many years she spent her summers at Knickerbocker Lake fishing with her "best buddy," husband Joe. Her children, grandchildren and friends have many stories and fond memories of hours spent "up at the lake," fishing from the pontoon boat, campfires, fishing from the pier with the grandkids, driving the golf cart, fishing from the shore with friends, riding her bike around the camp and fishing anywhere with Joe. She loved to fish!
Nancy had so many good friends, as well as acquaintances. She was always available to listen, advise, counsel, commiserate, witness, console and encourage. She made a difference in the lives of many.
Visitation will be today from 1 to 8 p.m. in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka.
The services will be held at the New Beginnings Community Fellowship, 19688 Kern Road, South Bend, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and the funeral at 11:00 AM on Monday, Oct. 22nd.
In memory of Nancy, the family requests that you honor her by doing a good deed for someone else in her memory.
To leave the family an online condolence or to share memories with the family, please visit our website www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.
12/28/2021 DEC
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