Geza A. CSAPO

24 JUN 1925 - 31 OCT 2014

• BIRTH: 24 JUN 1925, Osceola, IN
• DEATH: 31 OCT 2014, Sunset House, Mishawaka, IN

INDEX

[N11928] Geza A. Csapo
June 24, 1925 - Oct. 31, 2014 OSCEOLA -
Geza A. Csapo, age 89, of Osceola, passed away peacefully at 6:45 pm October 31, 2014 at Sunset House in Mishawaka. Geza was born June 24, 1925 in South Bend, Indiana to the late John and Suzie (Anderko) Csapo. Geza grew up on the family farm in Osceola. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Albert and his sister, Olga. He is survived by his son, Tibor Csapo, daughter Shari (Robert) Kerlikowski, both of St. Joseph, Michigan, and his daughter Suzanne (George) Soulioutis and granddaughter Maria Soulioutis, of Wichita Falls, Texas. He married Mary Nemeth in 1952, who survives as well. Geza graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1943, and entered the US Army shortly thereafter. He served in the 32nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron during the remainder of the war as a tank machine gunner, and later, as a tank commander. He fought at the Battle of the Bulge, which began on the morning of December 16, 1944 and continued through mid-January of 1945. He helped liberate hundreds of slave laborers from a concentration camp in Minden, Germany. Mr. Csapo attended Purdue University, earning a Bachelors Degree in Science and Statistics and a Masters Degree in Psychology. He worked at Studebaker during the summer while in College. He was employed as a Statistical Quality Cost Control Analyst at Whirlpool in Benton Harbor, Michigan. In 1970, he returned to the family farm in Osceola. He managed the farm from 1976-1990. After the passing of his parents and brother, Geza and his sister Olga lived on the farm. Geza enjoyed flying, attending the South Bend Symphony, scuba diving, camping backpacking, gardening, making wine, cooking, and canoeing. As a member of the Sierra Club Indiana Chapter, he led many outings to National Parks, introducing many others to the experience of backpacking, camping and enjoying the wonders of nature. In 2006, Geza was honored for his leadership and presented a plaque by his many friends at Glacier National Park in Montana. During the 1960s, he played a key role in the fight to save the Dunes on Lake Michigan, which is now Grand Mere State Park in St. Joseph. Memberships include the Nature Conservancy and the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. He and his sister Olga donated the beautiful monument erected at the South Bend Military Honor Park in 2012 to honor those who served. He also served previously on the St. Joseph County Parks Board. He was an active supporter of Fernwood Nature Center and the Pumpkin Vine Trail. In 1996, he traveled to Hungary to see his relatives, and always enjoyed meeting others who spoke Hungarian. Visitation will be held from 12-2:30 pm Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. Funeral services will be held at 2:30, with interment and Military honors to follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to the Military Honor Park; PO Box 3356, South Bend, Indiana 46619, Fernwood Nature Center; 13988 Range Line Road, Niles, Michigan, 49120, or the St. Joseph County Parks Department; 50651 Laurel Road, South Bend, Indiana 46637. To leave an online condolence, share a memory, or view Geza's online video tribute, please visit our website at www.chapelhillmemorial.com. Published in South Bend Tribune on Nov. 4, 2014