Ronald E GRONTKOWSKI

6 JUL 1938 - 4 NOV 2009

• BIRTH: 6 JUL 1938, South Bend, IN
• BURIAL: Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Mishawaka, IN
• DEATH: 4 NOV 2009, Mishawaka, IN

• MARRIAGE: 8 AUG 1959, St. Matthew's Cathedral

INDEX

[N2276] Ronald E. Grontkowski
July 6, 1938 - Nov. 4, 2009
MISHAWAKA - Ronald E. "Grony" Grontkowski, 71, of Mishawaka, IN, passed away at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2009, in his home. Ron was born on July 6, 1938, in South Bend, IN, to Edwin and Henrietta (Niespodziany) Grontkowski, who preceded him in death. Ron was a lifelong resident. He graduated from St. Joseph's High School and was captain of the 1956 basketball team. He was the Kiwanis Award winner in the same year. He was a 1960 graduate of St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, IN. On August 8, 1959, in St. Matthew's Cathedral, he married his high school sweetheart, Rose Marie "O.E." Lipetska, who survives. Also surviving are five daughters, Lynne (Alan) Wright of Granger, IN, Laurie (Larry) Foor of Plymouth, IN, Lee Ann (Chris) Paluzzi of Osceola, IN, Lisa (Jim) Reynolds of Granger, IN, and Leslie (Doug) Keck of Elkhart, IN; one son, Dennis "DJ" (Megan) Grontkowski of Elkhart, IN; 11 grandchildren, Stephanie and Jason Wright, Craig (Missy) Foor, Danaca and Chealsey Paluzzi, Kylie, Kelsey, Katie and Kourtney Reynolds, Ashley and Tyler Keck; one great-granddaughter, Leah Foor; and one brother, Dennis "Duck" (Kathleen Mahoney) Grontkowski. Ron was member of Queen of Peace Parish. He committed much of life to teaching and coaching young athletes through Queen of Peace and Harris Little League of Granger. He was a passionate sports fan who loved the Cubs, Notre Dame, and following all of his children and grandchildren in their sports endeavors. He was in the automotive and van conversion industry for 35 years, and ended his career as a manager at Gurley Leep. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., or to Queen of Peace Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon Friday, Nov. 6, in Queen of Peace Church. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 10 until noon on Friday in Queen of Peace Church. To send online condolences, please visit Kaniewski.com.
Published in South Bend Tribune on November 5, 2009