Matthew J. Rutkowski

March 24, 1917 – March 26, 2003

Matthew John Rutkowski, 86, passed away at 1:50 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, in Saint Joseph Hospice House, South Bend, Ind. He was born on March 24, 1917, in South Bend, and had been a lifelong resident.

Matthew was retired from Wheelabrator. He was a member of St. Bavo’s Church, Mishawaka, Ind., was a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post 360 in Mishawaka, American Legion Post #161, the St. Joseph Young Men’s Society, and the Polish National Alliance. Matthew was in the U.S. Army, served in World War II, and was honorably discharged in 1945. He received the following medals: the American Defense Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with three bronze stars, and the Good Conduct Medal.

On Feb. 18, 1943, in Fort Thomas, Ky., Matthew married Jean Clapp. Matthew leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife of 60 years, Jean Rutkowski; their sons, David (Roberta) Rutkowski of Gilbert, Ariz., Philip Rutkowski of Elkhart, Ind., and Mark (Pam) Rutkowski of Indianapolis, Ind.;their daughter, Lynn (Bob) Rutkowski of LaPorte, Ind.; his brother, Raymond Rutkowski of South Bend; sister, Gertrude (Cas) Wisniewski of South Bend; and seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Matthew was preceded in death by his brother, Harry Rutkowski.

Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday in the Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Osceola, Ind. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday in St. Bavo’s Church in Mishawaka. Post #360 will conduct military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County.

Article from 28 Mar 2003 The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, IN)

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

03/11/2026 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112614821/matthew-john-rutkowski