Matthew C. Hodges formerly Hojnacki

May 18, 1918 – June 11, 2004

Matthew C. Hodges, 86, of North College Street in South Bend, Ind., passed away at 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 11, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend. He was born on May 18, 1918, to the late Boleslaw and Clara (Lukowski) Hojnacki in South Bend, and was a lifelong resident.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Mark C.Hodges; one sister, Boots Wadzinski; and one brother, Henry Hojnacki.

Mr. Hodges retired in June 1983 as a tool and die maker from Raco Manufacturing, after 42 years of service.

On Oct. 23, 1943, he married Mary Catherine Hazinski in South Bend. She died on May 8, 1994.

He is survived by two daughters, Marilyn C. (Gary) Shank of South Bend and Peggy C. (David) Krzyzewski of South Bend; six grandchildren, Jeff Nowakowski of Scottsdale, Ariz., Jason Shank of Elkhart, Ind., Deanna Shank of Madison, Wis., and Shelly, Katie, and David M. Krzyzewski, all of South Bend; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Hodges was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge #225 in Mishawaka, Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge # 58 in South Bend, and Holy Cross Parish. Matthew enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family at his lake cottage on Shavehead Lake in Union, Mich. He enjoyed meeting new people and having conversation, especially telling stories about his fishing adventures. Matthew loved listening to Polka music and dancing. He also enjoyed entertaining his family and friends while singing and playing both the accordion and violin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. today, June 14, in St. Hedwig Catholic Church, with Rev. Leonard Chrobot officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends called Sunday, June 13, in Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend where a Rosary was prayed.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, North Central Indiana Service Center, 535 W. Edison Road, Unit #6, Mishawaka, IN 46545

Article from 14 Jun 2004 The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, IN)

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

08/18/2026 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/180063980/matthew-chester-hodges