Benedict F. (Ben) Otolski

Apr 14, 1909 - Aug 31, 1953

Benedict F. (Ben) Otolski, 44, west side businessman and former St. Joseph County Democratic leader, died at 6:45 p.m. Monday in St. Joseph Hospital. Death came only 18 hours after he was taken to the hospital from his home, 426 N. Walnut St., for treatment of cerebral hemorrhage. He had been recovering from the effects of a light stroke suffered two years ago.

Otolski was a former county highway department supervisor and former treasurer of the St. Joseph County Democratic Central Committee. He headed the highway department from 1942 to 1946. In 1946 he won his party's nomination for county auditor but was defeated for election in the general Republican victory that year.

For the last 20 years, including the period of his political career, he was manager of the Slatile Roofing Co., 1241 W. Thomas St., a business operated by his father, Frank Otolski. He was a 1928 graduate of Central High School.

Otolski was a former chairman of the board of the Polish M.R. Falcons, a former board member of the West Side Democratic and Civic Club, a member of the Elks Lodge, Young Men's Civic Club and the Polish-American Business and Professional Men's Association. He was chairman of the Central Civic Improvement Committee, which helped wage a successful fight for the widening of Western Avenue.

Born April 14, 1909, Otolski was a lifelong resident of South Bend. Surviving are his wife, Valentine (Grabarek) who he married June 29, 1935; two sons, Richard and in Robert, at home; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Otolski, 202 N. Studebaker St., and two sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Kiska, South Bend, and Mrs. Esther Davis, Loretto, Pa.

Sources: Ancestry.com and FindAGrave.com

05/18/2026 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179534710/benedict-frank-otolski