Harry J BANKOWSKI

24 DEC 1928 - 26 SEP 2009

• BIRTH: 24 DEC 1928, South Bend, IN
• BURIAL: Highland Cemetery, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 26 SEP 2009, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 14 JUN 1950, St Joseph County, Indiana

1.  Mary Beth BANKOWSKI
2.  Robert BANKOWSKI
3.  Michael BANKOWSKI
4. +James E BANKOWSKI

INDEX

[N1515] H.J. Bankowski "Kelly"
Dec. 24, 1928 - Sept. 26, 2009

SOUTH BEND - H.J. "Kelly" Bankowski, 80, of South Bend, passed away Saturday evening, September 26, 2009, in Hospice House, South Bend. Kelly was born December 24, 1928, in South Bend, a son of the late Frank and Mary Ann (Jankowski) Bankowski. He grew up in South Bend and was a graduate of South Bend Catholic High School. Kelly married Dolores "Dee" Nyikos on June 17, 1950, in St. Stephen's Church, South Bend. The couple made South Bend their home. Kelly and Dee owned and operated Nyikos Bar and Restaurant. After retirement, he was groundskeeper at Healthwin Hospital. Kelly was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Z.B. Falcons and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed flower gardening, especially roses, and was an avid Notre Dame basketball and football fan as well as an IU basketball fan. In recent years Kelly and Dee wintered in Tucson, Arizona. Kelly's surviving family includes his wife of 59 years, Dee; four children, Michael (Jacqueline) Bankowski of Tucson, Arizona, James Bankowski of South Bend, Mary Beth (Ed) LeMere of Niles and Robert (Pamela) Bankowski of West Middleton, Indiana; a brother, E. Don Bankowski of Mesa, Arizona; three sisters, Genevieve Kaczorowski of South Bend, Helena Pierce of South Bend and Dolores (Richard) Mull of Phoenix, Arizona; 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Kelly was preceded in death by four sisters, Regina Kazda, Henrietta Fournier, Clara Lupa and Alice DeBel; a brother, Raymond Bankowski; and by a grandson, Neal Edward Bankowski. Friends may spend time with Kelly's family Tuesday from 4 - 8 p.m. in Thallemer, Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 West Third Street, Mishawaka. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1050 Wilber Street, South Bend, with Rev. Brad Metz, CSC, officiating. Visitation will also be Wednesday from 9 - 10 a.m. in the church. Cremation will follow the Mass with burial at a later date at Highland Cemetery. Contributions in Kelly's memory may be made to the Spina Bifida Association or to The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care. Envelopes will be available in the funeral home and at the church.
Published in South Bend Tribune on September 28, 2009Continue to obituary