Ervin KUSPA

24 AUG 1929 - 10 MAY 2020

• BIRTH: 24 AUG 1929, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 10 MAY 2020, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 3 SEP 1955, St Adalbert Catholic Church, South Bend, IN

1.  Erving KUSPA Jr

INDEX

[N24346] Deacon Ervin Kuspa
August 24, 1929 - May 10, 2020

South Bend - Ervin Kuspa, 90, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, May 10, 2020. Ervin was born August 24, 1929 in Crumstown, IN to the late Vincent and Francis (Stajback) Kuspa. On September 3, 1955 in St. Adalbert Catholic Church, Ervin married his loving wife of 64 years Veronica (Ciesielski) Kuspa she preceded him in death on November 1, 2019. Left to cherish the memory of Ervin include his children, Ervin J. (Janice) Kuspa, Debra Kuspa and Thomas Kuspa; grandchildren, Jason (Mary) Kuspa, Adam Kuspa, Stephanie (Ryan) Debaillie; great-grandchildren, Ryder Debaillie and Kiara Sisti. Ervin was a member of St. Adalbert Catholic Church. He was a graduate of Central High School, Class of 1948. Enlisted in the United States Army and served in Korea. Ervin worked for Sears, and retired from the South Bend Water Works. He attended St. Cyril & Methodist Seminary, and was the first married deacon ordained for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend by Bishop Pursley on May 15, 1971. Ervin serviced the church at St. Anthony, St. Adalbert and Our Lady of Hungary. He was also a teacher at St. Adalbert, St. Anthony, and Marian High School. He served as a chaplain to the Achievement Forum, Legion of Mary, Chopin Fine Arts, Anchor Conservation Club, and Polish Businessman Association. His greatest joy was serving the church and the people. Ervin was a Boy Scout Leader Troop 308, member of the St. Vincent De Paul Society and Holy Name Society. He was a member of the American Legion Post #357, and the Knights of Columbus. Ervin served as a councilman for the 6th District of South Bend, and was a former St. Joseph Cemetery President on the Board of Directors. Ervin enjoyed gardening, fishing, feeding his birds, and spending time with family. He was a loving, husband, father, and Dzia-Dzia. Visitation for Ervin will be held 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday, May 14, 2020 in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Rd. with a Rosary to be prayed at 5:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am Friday, May 15, 2020 in St. Adalbert Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made St. Adalbert Catholic Church. Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.netTo send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deacon Ervin Kuspa

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Back in 1971, Ervin Kuspa became Deacon Ervin Kuspa. He was the first married deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Today there are 19 deacons in the diocese.

On May 18, he retired from his assignment at Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church. A large reception followed the 10 a.m. Mass. Scores of friends, family and parishioners thanked him for his years of service. A few days after the retirement, the Deacon Kuspa shared a few memories of the past 43 years. At his side has been his wife, Verna. They have been married 58 years and raised three children, Ervin, Deb and Thomas. They also have three grandchildren, Jason, Adam and Stephanie. At 85, and with a few health issues, he said he will take it easy. However, he said, he is a reluctant retiree. “I am still a deacon and I will find some way to serve the church.” While serving in Korea, he made a promise to serve God if he came back safely. He came home, married and had three children. He worked at Sears. Later he worked for the city of South Bend and served two terms on the City Council in the 6th District. Along the way the diaconate program was instituted and he quit his job to enroll. He studied for two years at Orchard Lakes Seminary in Michigan and was ordained in 1971. Over the years, he served at St. Anthony, St. Adalbert and Our Lady. As a deacon, he had many of the same duties as a priest, except he cannot say Mass or hear confessions.
He has officiated at hundreds of baptisms, funerals and weddings. A great joy was officiating last fall at his granddaughter Stephanie’s wedding. Deacon Kuspa taught Bible studies, worked with students at Marian High School and was the chaplain for organizations such as Achievement Forum. Deacon Kuspa said the years at the altar have been his life. “I love people and every chance I get I like to give out hugs. There is just not enough joy in the world.”

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Bob Deputy, retired CEO of Godfrey Marine, was honored with the Helping Hands Award from the Center for Hospice. He was singled out for service and civic leadership. Bob’s community spirit is legendary. He has been part of numerous initiatives to make Northern Indiana - particularly Elkhart County - a better place to live and work. “I am truly humbled by this award and thank Center for Hospice Care for all they are doing to make dignified, world-class, end-of-life services available to everyone in our communities,” Bob said.Following his retirement, he has dug in to help causes throughout the community.

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Grace College & Seminary, Winona Lake, recently honored William Male at the commencement ceremonies. William had served the schools for 34 years, including time as an academic dean of the college, dean of the seminary and the acting dean of the seminary’s west campus. And he is generous. William also gave a significant gift toward the purchase of the seminary building. He received his Ph.D. in 1968 from Indiana University. In 1971, he founded the first of the annual institutes for Christian school administrators and teachers. After his retirement, he served as a part-time planned giving officer for the school from 1989 to 1993. He also served as an interim pastor of a number of Brethren churches in the area.For his good work, the seminary building will be named the William Male Center for Seminary and Graduate Studies.