JOYLEEN (PRZYBYLINSKI) CHELMINIAK

Jan. 13, 1931 - June 24, 2009
SOUTH BEND - Joyleen M. Chelminiak, 78, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 7:45 a.m. in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, with her family by her side. A lifelong resident of South Bend, Joyleen was born on Jan. 13, 1931, to the late Stanley M. and Natalie M. (Jaroszewski) Przybylinski. On July 12, 1952, she married Thaddeus "Ted" Chelminiak. He preceded her in death on Dec. 1, 2005. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Adrian F. Cummings.

She is survived by her five children, Charles (Barbara) Chelminiak, Indianapolis, Thomas (Kristina) Chelminiak, Mishawaka, Mary Ann (Rick) Richards, Michigan City, Nancy (Michael) Hojnacki, Tucson, Ariz., and Carol (Marshall) Smith, Carmel; eight grandchildren, Anthony (Rachel) Chelminiak, Andrew Chelminiak, Christopher Chelminiak, Michael (Heather) Sobieralski, Katie Chelminiak, Erika Richards, Meredith Richards, and Kiernan Smith; great-granddaughter, Ella Grace Chelminiak; and by her sister, Luella (William) Moore.

Joyleen graduated from South Bend Central Senior High School in 1948 and attended St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1951. Joyleen retired in 1993 after 22 years as a registered nurse for the St. Joseph County Health Department. She was a member of St. Joseph Hospital Nurses Alumni Association, M.R. Falcons Nest 4 and a parishioner of Holy Family Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society.

Mom held season tickets in Section 27 at Notre Dame Stadium for many years and was a die-hard Notre Dame fan. One could find Mom tailgating with the Jasinski's every Notre Dame Football Saturday in Joyce South. Joy loved attending Trans-Am, SCCA and CART auto races with her husband, Ted. Our mother enjoyed traveling with Dad especially to Maui, Hawaii, and Rome, Italy. One of her most memorable experiences was attending an audience with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. Mom reveled in providing holiday dinners on Christmas Eve and Easter surrounded by her family. The menu included Mom and Dad's homemade Polski kielbasa.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 28 in St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend, where a Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, June 29 in Holy Family Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will also be from 9 to 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home prior to the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church, 56405 Mayflower Road, South Bend, IN 46619. The family expresses their gratitude to nurses and staff of the third and fourth floors of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, and to the Center for Spiritual Care, especially Father Henry, chaplain, also of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for his frequent visits. For those unable to attend the Funeral Liturgy, condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Jun. 26, 2009.

01/04/2023 EJS