In Memory
William A. "Blackie" Grauel
April 21, 1921 - Dec. 26, 2013 MISHAWAKA - Former South Bend resident, William A. "Blackie" Grauel of Mishawaka, passed away on Dec. 26, 2013. He was born in East Orange, New Jersey, to Lila Goldie Morgan (deceased.) He was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Ralph Grauel of South Bend; and a sister, Bessie Culcasi of Clifton, New Jersey. A brother, Robert C. Grauel of South Bend, survives.
On Aug. 17, 1946, he married Donna E. Weil of South Bend, who survives. Together for over 67 years, they raised three sons, Craig A. Grauel (Shirley) Gary L. Grauel (Vicki), both of South Bend, and Tim O. Grauel (Chris) of Granger. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Max Fair, Diana Curtis, Jill O'Hara, Todd Grauel, Jeremy Grenert, Emma, Molly and Mia Grauel, and Mackenzie Cherry; along with fifteen great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Taylor Fair, Asia Siders, Kieran Horn, Evee and Macklin Curtis, Andy, Peter, Megan and Jillian O'Hara, Liam, Seth and Cullen Grauel, Livvy Momenteller, & Bella Grenert; and one great-great-grandson, Tyson Siders.
In years past, there were many family gatherings with the extended Grauel family in the form of summer cookouts and a traditional Christmas Eve potluck. In the last two decades the Christmas Eve gatherings have been moved to a weekend evening before the holidays and also moved location from the parents' or aunts' and uncles' homes to a club house or American Turners hall to accommodate the growing family. This year "Blackie" was not able to attend the last Grauel Christmas Eve celebration held at American Turners.
Mr. Grauel served in the United States Army as a corporal beginning in 1942 while stationed in the Pacific Theater, and was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1946.
Mr. Grauel retired from the Bendix Corporation in January 1980, after 38 years of service as manager of labor relations. He served on several boards, including Chairman of the Labor Relations Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer of the United Health Foundation, Chairman of the Committee on Alcoholism, and President of the Alcoholism Council. He also served as Co-Chairman of the United Way in Plant Campaigns. He was a 58-year member of American Turners - South Bend, serving as various officers including president and vice president. He was a member of the Bendix Retirees Club and was a past member of the Bendix Male Chorus and the Michiana Male Chorus. After his official retirement he earned his realtor's license at age 63 and later worked as a starter at Notre Dame Golf Course until age 83. He lived a full and active life and will be deeply missed.
Friends and family may call from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. today, December 29th, at The Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road in South Bend. Rev. Robert Andrews will officiate the service at the funeral home on Monday at 11:00 a.m., with burial and military honors to follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Pl., Mishawaka, IN 46545. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com.
Published by South Bend Tribune from Dec. 28 to Dec. 29, 2013.
09/23/2023 EJS
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