Elsie A VAN HOECKE

22 JAN 1919 - 13 SEP 2010

• EDUCATION: St Bavo Parish School
  
• EDUCATION: Mishawaka High School
  
• BIRTH: 22 JAN 1919, South Bend, IN
• BURIAL: Highland Cemetery, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 13 SEP 2010, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 7 JUN 1986, St Joseph County, IN

• MARRIAGE: 24 NOV 1938, St Joseph County, Indiana

1.  G. Jean BIEBUYCK
2.  Sharon A BIEBUYCK

INDEX

[N2873] Elsie A. Popielski
Jan. 22, 1919 - Sept. 13, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Elsie A. (Biebuyck) Popielski, 91, was born into this life on January 22, 1919, in Mishawaka, to Belgian immigrant parents, Madeleine (Van Den Borre) and Henry Van Hoecke. Mrs. Popielski received her early education at St. Bavo's Parish School and later graduated with honors from Mishawaka High School, with an emphasis on business and stenography. Those skills resulted in employment as a legal secretary and various stenographic positions. During her active years, she enjoyed being a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Belgian Club of Mishawaka, as well as a member of the American Assoc. of Business Women and the Altar and Rosary Society of Corpus Christi Catholic Church. On November 24, 1938, Elsie married Valere "Slats" Biebuyck of South Bend, where they made their home raising their two daughters. After Valere's death in 1983, she married Frederick "Pops" Popielski of South Bend on June 7, 1986. He passed away in 1998. In honor of her late husbands who fought in War World II Pacific fronts and the European Theatre, Elsie was a proud member of the Auxiliary of American Legion Post 357. Also preceding her in death were her parents, as well as her sister, Lucy Hillaert (Joe) of Mishawaka. Surviving are daughters, G. Jean Barany (Emery) of South Bend and Sharon A. Bukowski (Ralph) of Rock Hill, South Carolina. Also surviving are Elsie's sisters, Jane Mittleman (Ed) of Mishawaka, Vicki Vanderbeke (Al) of South Bend and Dorothy Sabade (Steve) of Okeechobee, Florida. She always enjoyed welcomed visits from her nine grandchildren, Scott Van Heesbeke (Sheryl) and Tom VanHeesbeke (Kelly), both of South Bend, and Leah Joselyn (Jeff) of Elkhart. Other grandchildren include Mark Young (Elizabeth) of Naperville, IL, Lisa Young of New Lenox, IL, James Young of Calumet City, IL, Kathleen Dick (Steve) of Norman, Oklahoma, Nancy Lach (Robert) of Mokena, IL, and Jeff Young (Christine) of Plainfield, IL. Elsie was also privileged to welcome into the world 17 great-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews and their children. As a young woman, she was an active parishioner at Corpus Christi. Recently Little Flower Catholic Church has been her home parish. Friends may call in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, September 17th. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 18, at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior in Little Flower Catholic Church, 54191 Ironwood Road, South Bend. The celebrant will be Father Daryl Rybicki, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish. Interment will take place in Highland Cemetery Mausoleum, South Bend. The family wishes to thank all of the caregivers who assisted her over the past several years. Mass and prayerful offerings may be made to Little Flower and Corpus Christi Parishes. May Elsie... a mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, be blessed with God's welcome Hand and Eternal Peace. To leave the family an online condolence or to share memories with the family, please visit our website at www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.
Published in South Bend Tribune on September 16, 2010