Edward V. Minczeski

Edward V. Minczeski, Sr., 92, of Holy Cross Village, Notre Dame, IN passed away at 5:50 a.m. Friday, February 11, 2011 at Hospice House in Elkhart, IN.

He was born on April 10, 1918 to the late Bronislaw P. and Stephanie (Chwalek) Minczewski in Oswego, NY, and has lived in South Bend since 1920. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Helen Spangenberg, and his brothers, Bertram (Bud) and Dr. Richard Minczewski.

A 1935 Graduate of Central High School, he graduated from the University of Notre Dame College of Commerce in 1940 cum laude with a B.C.S. in Accounting, and in 1941 was awarded a JD cum laude from the University of Notre Dame College of Law.

On October 25, 1941 he married Margaret A. Mikesell in the Log Chapel at the University of Notre Dame. After a long illness, she passed away on December 18, 2008.

Mr. Minczeski retired in 1983, after practicing law in St. Joseph County for 37 years, the last 10 years which were with Chapleau, Roper, McInerny, Minczeski and Farabaugh.

He is survived by his five sons, Edward V. (Harriet) Minczeski, Jr. of Jackson Hole, WY; John M. (Joan) Minczeski of St. Paul, MN; Thomas C. (Barbara) Minczeski of Walnut Creek, CA; Matthew J. (Laurie) Minczeski of Pittsburgh, PA; Damian R. (Bambi) Minczeski of Appleton, WI; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Heidi Minczeski of Dallas, TX.

Ed was a W.W. II Transition Flight Instructor in the U.S. Army Air Corps. In the Korean Conflict he was a member of the Air Force J.A.G. D. Reserve.

He was a life member of Elks Lodge BPOE 235; life member and Past Faithful Navigator of Father J. Nieuwland Assembly, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus; and a life member of Z.B. Polish Falcons and the St. Joseph Young Men’s Society.

Ed was also a charter member of A.O.P.A. (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association); charter member and founder of South Bend Achievement Forum; member and National Secretary of Lawyer Pilots Bar Association; member of St. Joseph County Bar Association and Indiana State Bar Association.
He was admitted to practice to the state bars of Indiana and Michigan: District Court of Northern Indiana, Court of Military Appeals and United States Supreme Court.

Ed was also a 24 year member of the St. Joseph County Board of Aviation Commissioners; member of the Indiana Criminal Law Study Commission; and a member of the Ancient and Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen.
He was appointed a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Otis Bowen, the highest Civilian Award bestowed by the State of Indiana.

In 1937 Ed made his first solo flight, at Bendix Field, now the South Bend Regional Airport. In 1940 he was issued a Commercial Pilots License and Instructors Rating that he kept current until 1997.
He was President and Director of the former St. Joseph County Anti Tuberculosis League. For fourteen years he participated in the AARP Tax Assistance Program.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, February 13, 2011 at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN. Friends may also visit from 9-10 a.m. Monday, February 14, 2011 at St. Joseph Chapel at Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, IN.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 14, 2011 at St. Joseph Chapel at Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, IN, with Rev. Kenneth Grabner, C.S.C. as celebrant & Rev. Michael Mathews, C.S.C. as con-celebrant. Cremation will follow. A private interment will take place at Highland Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.

The family wishes to offer sincere gratitude to the staff and volunteers from The Center for Hospice, and Hospice House of Elkhart. Loving thanks also to the friends and neighbors from Holy Cross Village, especially to the Eucharistic Ministers who were so faithful in bringing Holy Communion to Edward through his illness.

To send condolences, please visit, www.kaniewski.com.

02/12/2023 EJS (name change spellings noted)