John Steve Szabo

Jan.28, 1919 – Dec.9, 2010

SOUTH BEND — John S. Szabo, 91, passed away at 1:20 p.m. on Thursday, December 9, 2010, in the Milton Home. John was born on January 28, 1919, in South Bend, to the late John and Mary (Fall) Szabo.

He married Clara Karnafel in 1942, who preceded him in death in 1966. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Helen Szabo and Ann Sorenson.

On December 6, 1968, he married JoAnne (Cramblet), who survives along with their seven children, John (Teddi Fine) Szabo of Ellington, MD, Tom (Arlene) Szabo of Lexington, VA, Mary (Jack) Strom of South Bend, Roberta (Rolf) Rovang of Plano, TX, Robert (Becky) Szabo of Granger, IN, Ralph (Joyce) Szabo of Carrollton, TX, and Eugene (Julie) Szabo of Mansfield, TX; seven grandchildren, Carl (Laura) Szabo, Aaron Szabo, Katie Strom, Kristen Strom, Kelly Strom, Mary Szabo and John Szabo.

John graduated from South Bend Central in 1937. He enlisted in the United States Army on September 19, 1942, and went to Officer Training in Maryland, where he graduated as Ordnance Officer. He served his country in China during WW II. John then joined the Air Force Reserves and was based in Colorado during the Korean War. He was a member of American Legion Post 357.

John worked as a Time Study Engineer at Torrington until his retirement in 1982, and after that he was a Ranger at Studebaker Golf Course for 10 years. Dad had many passions in life, first and foremost his family. Coming in a close second was golf. He was an avid golfer and played every weekend with his “cronies.” They’d be out at Erskine Golf Course at 4:30 a.m., and if Erskine was closed, they’d drive all over until they found an open course. Dad was a member of the Erskine Men’s Golf Club and continued to play the game he loved into his late 80s. He was a fixture at the South Bend Men’s Metro, and he won the Senior Men’s Metro Championship three times. He also took great pride in teaching his children and grandchildren to play golf. Dad was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was blessed with a long and healthy life, and we were honored to have shared this life with him. We will love him and miss him always.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Milton Home, in particular to the 2nd floor nurses who are true Angels of Mercy. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m.to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 16, 2010, in ST.JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Road. A private service will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pet Refuge, 2300 W.6th St., Mishawaka, IN 46544;or to the donor’s choice. Condolences for the family may be made at www .sjfh.net 

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

08/02/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/181623400/john-steve-szabo