Donald M. Palka, Sr

Feb 6, 1917 - Sep 2, 1968

EDWARDSBURG - Donald M. Palka, Sr., 51, of 13781 Brick Rd., Granger, was killed instantly early Tuesday in a head-on collision on U.S. 12 in Cass County, Mich. His car crossed the center line and hit another auto, according to Cass Co. Sheriff's deputies.

Deputies said Palka, westbound on U.S. 12, crossed the center line for an unknown reason about 2:02 a.m. Monday about a mile West of Garver Lake Rd. Both drivers were alone in their cars, deputies said.

Palka was born Feb. 6, 1917 in South Bend. He was an employee of Allied Stamping Inc.

Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Hattie Palka, of South Bend; two sons, Donald M. Jr. of South Bend and Terry A. of Granger; a daughter, Mrs. Marsha E. Brown of Granger; three grandchildren, and five sisters, Mrs. Loretta Humphries of Vandalia, Mich., and Mrs. Evelyn Gundeck, Mrs. Mildred Bielejewski, Mrs. Vivian Michalski and Mrs. Geraldine Kubiak, all of South Bend.

Friends may call after 7 p.m. today and after 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Kaniewski and Sons Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Pius X Catholic Church, Granger, with Rev. Joseph W. Koma, C.S.C., pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, South Bend. A parish rosary will be recited in the funeral home at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

He was a veteran of World War II.

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

07/26/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97056937/donald_m-palka