Bernard M. “Ben” Kuczka, 79, Warsaw, passed away at 1:11 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. He was born Jan. 19, 1939, in Gary, to John and Mary ( Zulick ) Kuczka.
Ben was a Warsaw, resident since 1977. He faithfully served his Country in the United States Army from 1957 to 1961 as a Private First Class where he trained with the 82nd Airborne and served in the 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles”. He was a devoted soldier who thought of his comrades as his “brothers.” He was united in marriage on July 19, 1975, in South Bend, to Judy Maenhout. He was formerly employed by NIPSCO as a Lineman with 30 plus years of service retiring in 2000. He enjoyed the everyday challenges of the job. Ben served as an Assistant Coach for the Sacred Heart Football Team and was a Head Coach, coaching several teams, in the Kosciusko County Youth Soccer League. He was a devoted husband and loved being with his family first most but also enjoyed fishing, playing cards, reading, traveling & working at the family business in Syracuse. His latest enjoyment was holding the great grandson and seeing him smile. He will be missed in many ways by all. His memberships include Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warsaw, and American Legion Post #49 and V.F.W. Post #1126 both of Warsaw where he was a Lifetime Member.
Survivors include his wife Judy Kuczka of Warsaw, a son Brian (spouse Lisa) Kuczka of Syracuse, a daughter Bernadette (spouse Ray) Onesko of Hammond, a sister Mary Kathleen Nero of Dyer, a brother Kenneth (spouse Chris) Kuczka of Arizona, grandchildren Brennan Kuczka, Tera Simpkins, Cheyenne (spouse Nate) Shaffer and one great-grandson Quinlan Kuczka. He was preceded by a sister Martha Stefankiewicz
Visitation hours are scheduled from 1-5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 30, with a Rosary Service recited at 4:30 p.m. in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 31, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warsaw with calling one-half hour prior. Military Honors will be rendered by the Warsaw American Legion Post #49 and VFW Post #1126. Father Jonathon Norton will officiate the Mass. Interment will be in Chapel Hill Cemetery, Osceola.
Memorial contributions may be made to: American Legion Post #49, 301 N. Buffalo St Warsaw, IN 46580; Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 125 N. Harrison St. Warsaw, IN 46580 or St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 408 W. Catholic St. Pierceton, IN 46562
To sign the register book or leave condolences electronically, go to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
