Leo J SOBIERALSKI

10 MAY 1921 - 7 FEB 2013

• BIRTH: 10 MAY 1921, South Bend, IN
• BURIAL: Cedar Grove Cemetery, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 7 FEB 2013, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 6 JUN 1946, St Joseph County, IN

1.  Carol K. SOBIERALSKI

INDEX

[N3785] Leo J. Sobieralski
May 10, 1921 - Feb. 7, 2013
SOUTH BEND - Leo J. Sobieralski, 91, passed away at 7:45 pm, Thursday, February 7, 2013 in the Hospice House. Leo J. Sobieralski was born May 10, 1921 in South Bend, to the late Steve & Sophie (Kryza) Sobieralski. On June 6, 1946, Leo married Kathleen (Podell) Sobieralski; she preceded him in death, along with a daughter, Kathy Martin, sister, Lucy O'Chap, and brother, Clem Sobieralski. Survivors of Leo include his daughters, Carol (Ed) Gleckler and Sandy Andert; sons, David (Kathy) Sobieralski and John Sobieralski; grandsons, Brian Brennan, Robert Brennan, Lewis McGann, Ryan McGann, Nicholas Sobieralski, Stephen Sobieralski, and Joseph Sobieralski; granddaughters, Karagh Brennan, Melissa McGann, Colleen (Joe) Voss, and Andrea Sobieralski; brother, Richard (Maryann) Sobieralski; sister, Esther (Charlie) Borowski; and five great-great-grandchildren. Leo retired from Dodge Reliance after 22 years of service; and he was a parishioner of St. Hedwig Catholic Church, where he was a member of the St. Hedwig Holy Name Society. Leo also was a member of the St. Joe Young Men's Club, VFW 3194, and PNA #83. After almost 92 years of being a good son, dedicated husband, loving father and adoring grandfather, my wonderful Dad, Leo Sobieralski, finally decided to get some rest tonight. Dad was a World War II veteran who honorably served with the 14th Tank Battalion and earned a Purple Heart. To those of us who knew him best, he was defined by his loving and gentle nature. He meticulously tended to his tomato plants, worked tirelessly to have the most beautiful lawn on the block, and surveyed all his labor at the end of each long day in his chair on the back patio, with a glass of ice water in one hand and a cigar in the other. He rarely showed any temper, was always willing to help, and never failed to offer words of encouragement to all of us. He and my Mom Kathleen worked many hours of overtime in numerous factories during their lives to ensure that each of us had a comfortable place to call home, the chance to attend the best schools, and to give us everything else they possibly could to help us grow and thrive, both as their children and as adults. Even when we failed at something, be it either great or small, or made mistakes, or took a path that was unknown or not understood by him, he never judged us or turned his back on us. He was always patient, level-headed and calm, and his peaceful nature always put us at ease, even during the most difficult of times. Carol, Sandy, David, and I are going to miss his broad smile, charming laugh and his comforting hand upon our shoulders. We will be forever grateful and deeply proud that he was our father. Rest in peace DAD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 in St. Hedwig Catholic Church, where there will be a prior visitation for Leo from 8:30 am. to 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery. ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Rd. is assisting the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph Co. or St. Hedwig Holy Name Society. Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net.
Published in South Bend Tribune on February 10, 2013