Carlyle "Bunny" Kavadas

Sep 27, 1936 - Feb 14, 1991

South Bend TV personality Carlyle Kavadas dies at 54

GRANGER — Carlyle "Bunny" Kavadas, 54, of 16294 Baywood Lane, a television personality in the early days of local TV and later an account executive with WSBT-TV, died at 12:10 p.m. Thursday in his home.

Mr. Kavadas had been employed at WSBT more than 37 years, beginning part time in 1953 as a tour guide and messenger, while still a student at Central High School. He joined the news department in 1956 and became an award-winning chief photographer. In the mid-1950s and early '60s he was a co-emcee with Joe Kelly and the late Bruce Saunders on "Hoosier Favorite," one of the most popular local TV programs of that era. The Saturday afternoon teenage dance program included interviews by Mr. Kavadas and his unique rendition of "Happy Birthday," sung in honor of any audience member observing a birthday. Mr. Kavadas, known for a keen sense of humor, insisted that the song was a musical highlight rather than part of the show's comedy routine. 

In 1965, Mr. Kavadas transferred to the station's television sales department as an account executive, achieving record sales during 25 years. He also was active in the South Bend Press Club, where at various times he served as president and general chairman of the club's Gridiron Show. He was involved in almost every aspect of the show, from acting to working on scripts and skits for roastmasters to handling the show's finances. Mr. Kavadas was a roastmaster at the Achievement Forum Award Dinner and for many years introduced Forum head table guests with satirical comments as they entered the hall.

He was born Sept. 27, 1936, in Sterling, Ill., and moved to South Bend with his parents in 1940.

On Nov. 11, 1961, in Niles, he married Nancy R. Stauffer. She survives with a daughter, Jennifer DeCraene of South Bend; a son, James C. at home; two sisters, Bernice Putman of Valley Center, Calif., and DeLetta Fautz of South Bend; and two brothers, Tom of Sterling, Ill., and James P. of South Bend.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Welsheimer Funeral Home, 521 N. William St.

Memorial contributions may be made to the the oncology unit of St. Joseph's Medical Center. He was a former president of the Board of Governors of the Knollwood Country Club for four years

Sources: Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com

06/02/2025 EJS