Frank Martin DeCleene Jr.

Feb. 3, 1929 - Oct. 24, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Frank Martin DeCleene Jr., 81, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, formerly of South Bend, IN, died at 6:50 p.m. Sunday, October 24, 2010, in Kokomo, Indiana, where he had lived with his son and his family for the past year-and-a-half. He was born February 3, 1929, in South Bend, Indiana, the son of Frank Martin DeCleene Sr. and Maria Magdalena (VerHasselt) DeCleene.

On April 29, 1950, in South Bend, Indiana, he married Dolores Anne Meuleman, who preceded him in death on May 6, 2005.

Frank was a 1947 graduate of Central High School.

He was a newspaper editor for the South Bend Tribune and had previously worked for Studebaker, also in South Bend, Indiana. After retirement, he worked as a park ranger at Canaveral National Seashore in Florida. He attained his realtor license and sold real estate for several years. He was a ten-year volunteer at Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. He was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Kokomo, Indiana, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and the Knights of Columbus. He was an antique collector and loved his dog, Sadie.

He is survived by his eight children, Scott R. DeCleene of Mishawaka, Indiana, Sherrill M. "Sherry" DeCleene of Reno, Nevada, Thomas M. DeCleene and his wife, Kris of Land-O-Lakes, Florida, Douglas C. DeCleene and his wife, Connie of Mishawaka, Indiana, James J. DeCleene and his wife, Sarah of Shanghai, China, Charles C. DeCleene of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Frank M. "Bud" DeCleene III and his wife, Kate of Kokomo, Indiana, Robert B. DeCleene of South Bend, Indiana; grandchildren, Randy DeCleene, Kate DeCleene, Anne DeCleene, Melissa Diamond, Meghan DeCleene, Tommy DeCleene, Kurtis Penny, Michael Penny, Jessica Penny, Douglas DeCleene, Diane DeCleene, Michael DeCleene, Brad Lekarczyk, Nicole Lekarczyk, Matt Lekarczyk, Joe DeCleene, Hannah DeCleene, John DeCleene, Erin DeCleene, Chris DeCleene, Seth DeCleene, Maria DeCleene and Zachary; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

In Kokomo a memorial Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. today, October 27, 2010, in St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3155 South 200 West, Kokomo, with Rev. Fr. Ted Dudzinski the celebrant. Friends may call in the church from 4 p.m. until time of the Mass today. In South Bend a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Thursday, October 28, 2010, in St. Hedwig Catholic Church, 331 South Scott St., South Bend, Indiana, with Rev. Frs. Ted Dudzinski and Alejandro Paternoster the celebrants. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may call at the church from 9 a.m. until time of the Mass on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New Smyrna Beach Library, 1001 South Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168; or to Sts. Joan of Arc and Patrick School, 3155 South 200 West, Kokomo, IN 46902, with envelopes available. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, Kokomo, is assisting the family with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Oct. 27, 2010.

01/14/2023 EJS