STEVEN M. MANDICH

Nov. 26, 1914 - June 19, 2008
SOUTH BEND - Steven M. Mandich Sr., 93, of Walworth, WI, a former longtime resident of South Bend, IN, died Thursday, June 19, 2008, in Walworth. Steven was born November 26, 1914, to parents, Michael and Anna (Cicak) Mandich of South Bend, IN.

He graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1933.

Steven proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II.

He was united in marriage to Mellissa "Mayme" Rapaich on June 17, 1945, in South Bend. Steven was employed at the A&P Tea Company for 40 years as a meat cutter and department manager before retiring in 1980. He was men's president in Saints Peter and Paul Serbian Church in South Bend, raised a Mason in 1956 as a member of the St. Joseph Lodge, and was a member of South Bend Commander, the Scottish Rite, and the Orak Shrine Temple. Steve's life was one of celebration and service. He loved his family, friends and community and participated in many organizations for the benefit of others. He was very proud of his ethnic heritage and was active in Serbian-American affairs. He entertained in ethnic music, along with his best friends, playing Tamburitza music and singing Serbian songs for 40 years. He wrote articles for the Serbian newspaper and also hosted the Serbian Hour on WJVA radio in South Bend. Steve was fond of basketball and was instrumental in forming the largest church basketball league in the United States. The SNF tournament was started in 1936 and is still going strong today.

He is survived by his wife, Mayme; a daughter, Malena (Mike) Fullerton of Plymouth, IN; a son, Steven (Laurie) Mandich Jr. of Lake Geneva, WI; sisters, Olga Tatich of Huntington Beach, CA; and Ann (Bud) Medich of South Bend, IN; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Steven was preceded in death by his parents, a sister (Helen Petkovich) and a brother (Paul Mandich), both of South Bend, IN.

Services for Steven Mandich will be 2:00 PM today, June 23, 2008, in the Toynton Funeral Home in Walworth, WI. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lake Geneva, WI. Memorials may be sent to Saints Peter and Paul Serbian Orthodox Church in South Bend, IN, or to the Nova Gracanica Monastery in Grayslake, IL.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Jun. 23, 2008.

02/08/2023 EJS