Richard J KUCELA

18 JAN 1944 - 8 JUN 2011

• BIRTH: 18 JAN 1944, Elkhart, Elkhart County, IN
• DEATH: 8 JUN 2011, Lakeland Hospital, Niles, MI

INDEX

[N27734] Richard J. "Dick" Kucela, Jr
Jan. 18, 1944 - June 8, 2011

NILES - Richard J. "Dick" Kucela, Jr., 67, residing in Niles, MI, passed away at 2:30 pm Wednesday, June 8, 2011 in Lakeland Hospital, Niles. He was born January 18, 1944 in Elkhart to the late Richard J. Kucela, Sr. and Bette Zook, and remained a lifelong area resident. Dick graduated from Elkhart High School in 1962. He retired in 2003 from the former Miles Laboratory (currently Bayer Corporation), where he worked in security for 40 years. Dick was the basketball commissioner for the Men's Mishawaka Basketball League from 1979-1991. He umpired and coached many sports and was an avid IU basketball and Cubs fan. He particularly loved golf and has had 6 holes-in-one. In fact, Dick played golf in this area every month for 198 consecutive months. On May 20, 2006, in South Bend, Dick married Joanne "Joni" (Mazzone) Rogalski, who survives. In addition to Joni, Dick is survived by daughters, Carrie (Ron) Martin of Mishawaka and Nicole (Jeff) Persyn of Osceola; sons, Scott (Cheri) Kucela of South Bend and Todd (Michele) Kucela of Mishawaka and their mother, Karolyn Kucela of Mishawaka, and son Brian Rogalski of Tampa, FL; and nine grandchildren, Cameron & Emma Kucela, Jonathan, Anneliese & Gabrielle Kucela, Macie, Mitchell & Morgan Martin and Isabella Persyn. He is also survived by his stepmother, Frieda Kucela of Elkhart; stepfather, Forrest McNeal of Elkhart; stepmother in law, Mary Mazzone of South Bend; sisters, Stephanie (Larry) Reed and Darlene (Tom) Angel, both of Elkhart; brothers, Stephen Kucela of Elkhart and John (Gloria) Kucela of South Bend; as well as numerous other family members. Dick was preceded in death by one sister, Sharon Kucela. Funeral services for Dick will be 11:00 am Saturday, June 11, 2011 in the Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, with Rev. Thomas Thews of River Park United Methodist Church officiating. Graveside services and burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 - 8:00 pm Friday, June 10, 2011 in the funeral home, as well as one hour prior to services on Saturday. Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Dick may be made to the Diabetes Education Center, c/o United Health Services, 6910 North Main Street, Bldg 9, Granger, IN 46530. Online condolences to the Kucela family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
Published in South Bend Tribune on Jun. 10, 2011.