James W. Oberfell

April 19, 1927 - March 18, 2005

James W. Oberfell, 77, of East Monroe Street, South Bend, passed away at 2:30 a.m. Friday, March 18, in Hospice House. A lifelong area resident of South Bend, he was born April 19, 1927, to the late Alfred and Martha (Ehrlich) Oberfell.

He was a 1944 graduate of Central High School and was a Navy veteran of World War II. Thereafter, he received both his undergraduate degree (B.S.) and law degree (LL.B.-J.D.) from the University of Notre Dame. In 1950 he became associated with the South Bend law firm of Crumpacker, May, Beamer, Levy and Searer, and retired as a partner of the same firm, currently titled May, Oberfell and Lorber.

On the 15th day of July, 1950, he wed Phyllis M. Graham, who predeceased him on the 9th day of November, 2002, after 52 years of marriage. A brother, Robert A. Oberfell, also predeceased him.

James is survived by two daughters, Jill (Steven) Scheu of Ouray, Colorado, and Beth Oberfell of South Bend; and a very special granddaughter, Madeleine. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews who experienced a close relationship with Jim over the years.

Jim served as president of the St. Joseph County Bar Association and was a member of the Indiana and American Bar Associations. He was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1957 and chaired several professional committees

Article from 20 Mar 2005 The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, IN)

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

02/18/2026 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95585937/james-w-oberfell