Donald Henry JABLONSKI

4 MAY 1941 - 30 OCT 2011

• BIRTH: 4 MAY 1941, South Bend, IN
• BURIAL: St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 30 OCT 2011, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 3 AUG 1964, St Joseph County, IN

1.  Mark JABLONSKI
2.  Donald H JABLONSKI

INDEX

[N3835] Donald H. Jablonski Sr.
May 4, 1941 - Oct. 30, 2011

SOUTH BEND - Donald H. Jablonski Sr., 70, was unexpectedly taken from us early Sunday morning, October 30, 2011, following a brief illness. He was born in South Bend to Henry and Henrietta (Repczynski) Jablonski on May 4, 1941. He attended Holy Cross grade school and continued his education at St. Joseph high school, graduating with the "Class of 1959." Donald then furthered his education at Purdue University. He graduated in 1963 with a degree in Pharmacy. While at Purdue, he was a member of the Kappa PSI Pharmaceutical Fraternity. After college, he proudly served his country as a medic with the National Guard. Donald managed both the Tuesley & Bushbaum Pharmacy as a Pharmacist. He often said his customers became more like friends. He ended his career with the Weights and Measures department of St. Joseph County, retiring December 31, 2008. In 1964 he wed Sandra Bauer. This union was blessed with 2 children, Donald H. Jablonski Jr. and Mark J. Jablonski. In April 2005, Donald married Christine (Gadacz) Gray. They shared 6 wonderful years together before his untimely death. Always the romantic, Don bought Chris flowers every week beginning in the first days of their courtship and continued until right before his death. Don was a member of the Achievement Forum and was voted "Man of the Year" in 1985 by his peers. He was a lifelong member of the Purdue alumni association and a member of the St. Joseph's Young Men's Society for over 40 years. Don was proud of his Polish heritage and was a committed family man. He loved his family with all his heart. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Henrietta Jablonski, and his son, Donald H. Jablonski Jr. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Christine of South Bend; daughters, Tammy (John) DeCloedt of Mishawaka, Tracy Rodriquez of Granger; sons, Greg Gray of South Bend and Mark Jablonski of Los Angeles, California; granddaughters, Amelia and Sara Rodriquez of Granger; his brother, Kenneth (Joyce) Jablonski of South Bend; his sister, Karen (Paul) Rafferty of Richardson, Texas; and many nieces and nephews. Don loved to hunt, fish and travel, just about anywhere. He also loved music of any kind, but at heart, he was a quiet, gentle man who touched many lives with his thoughtfulness. Our hearts are breaking, but your memory will live on in our hearts forever. Visitation will be from 2-8 today, November 3, 2011, at the Kaniewski Funeral Home on Bendix Drive, where a Rosary will be prayed at 4:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, November 4, 2011, at St. Stanislaus Church in South Bend. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Online condolences may be sent to the family at kaniewski.com.
Published in South Bend Tribune on November 3, 2011