Robert E. Toppel

SOUTH BEND - Robert E. Toppel, age 90, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away early Saturday morning, October 10, 2015, at Miller's Merry Manor in LaGrange, Indiana. He was born August 20, 1925, in South Bend, Indiana, son of the late Anton and Rose (Horvath) Toppel.

Mr. Toppel was a lifelong South Bend resident and enjoyed summering at Fish Lake in Sturgis, Michigan, from the time he was a young man. In August of 1946 he married Elaine E. Ruppert in Centreville, Michigan. Mr. Toppel owned and operated Bob Toppel Heating in South Bend for 40 years. Bob was proud to have served his country in WW II in the Pacific Theatre with the U.S. Coast Guard, earning the rank of Seaman First Class.

He enjoyed playing the accordion, and in his younger years had his own band and played with several bands in the South Bend area. He also traveled with the U.S.O. until he was sent overseas into activity duty.

He is survived by one daughter, Sandy Barnet of Sturgis, Michigan; one son, Robert (Kathleen) Toppel of Sturgis; one grandson, David (Erica) Barnet of Colorado; three great-grandchildren and three great-great-grand-children.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law, David F. Barnet, II.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. Private graveside services and burial of the ashes will take place at Highland Cemetery in South Bend. Full military honors will be conferred by V.F.W. Post #360 and the U.S. Coast Guard Honor Guard. The Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, is entrusted with the arrangements. The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Toppel's memory consider the WW II Museum, P.O. Box 97336, Washington, DC 2009-7336. The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.

Sources: Ancestry.com and FindAGrave.com

02/22/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/153886652/robert-e.-toppel