Leonard C Kapalczynski

Leonard C. Kapalczynski, 86, of 443 North Beech Road, Osceola, IN, died peacefully at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday May 24, at home.

He was born on July 20, 1928, in South Bend and was a life-long area resident. Mr. Kapalczynski retired from Bendix Corporation after 36 years of service. He served his country in the United States Army as a Private First Class during WWII enlisting October 5, 1946 and was honorably discharged on the 3rd day of March, 1948. His military occupations were Basic 521, Rifleman 745 and Heavy Mortar Crewman 1607 where he served with Company D, 35th Infantry, Otsu, Honshu, Japan as gunner in a heavy mortar squad. He received his WWII Victory Medal and Occupation Medal Japan. Mr. Kapalczynski has been a long time member of the V.F.W. Post 1167 and American Legions Posts #284 and #357. Mr. Kapalczynski was an avid Notre Dame fan and had been attending games regularly since 1970. He also loved his Chicago Cubs. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially camping with cookouts and spent many a day enjoying the greens with his life-long buddies on the golf course.

On July 24, 1954, in Mishawaka he married his loving wife Barbara J. Washburn Gehl, who preceded him in death on May 6, 1998. Mr. Kapalczynski also was preceded in death by his son, Michael Alan Kapalczynski, on September 9, 1994; his parents Casimir and Helen (Laskowski) Kapalczynski; a sister Alice (Richard) Grzesk; brothers Richard and Casimir "Buck" Kapalczynski.

He is survived by his daughter, Glenda (Stan) Boyd of Osceola, IN; four grandchildren, Michael Kapalczynski of Elkhart, Sondra Kapalczynski of Bacliff, TX, Nicole (Nate) Lewis of Phoenix, AZ and Emily (Adam Egendoerfer) Boyd of Osceola. He is also survived by his precious great-granddaughter, Ava Marie Egendoerfer of Osceola and a sister, Cecilia (Frank) Matthews of Mishawaka, along with many loving nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday May 29th at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a parish Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday May 30th in Holy Family Catholic Church with Reverend Glenn Kohrman officiating.

Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, with full military honors performed.

Mr. Kapalcynski was a member of Holy Family Church. The family has asked that memorials be made to Hospice Foundation, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545-5234 or to Riverbend Cancer Services, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46617.

07/25/2022 EJS