Obituary of Anthony Palenchar

Anthony "Tony" J. Palenchar, 95, of South Bend, formerly of Niles, passed away on Wednesday, March 14, 2013 at the Sanctuary of St. Paul's in South Bend. He was born on June 7, 1917 in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania to the late John and Josephine (Hudak) Palenchar. In 1941Tony served his country proudly during World War II, enlisting in the Army Air Corps. He was an airplane instrument mechanic and prior to his honorable discharge in 1945 he witnessed the arrival of the Japanese envoys, en route to Manila to arrange the terms of their surrender. On June 28, 1947 Tony married Ruth Dunn at a ceremony in St. Mary Catholic Church in Niles, Michigan. Tony owned and operated AP Electrical Service in Niles for over 30 years. He was a sports enthusiast and enjoyed spending time with his friends on the golf course, watching baseball and especially Notre Dame football, where he was a season ticket holder for decades. He also loved traveling with his wife and spending time with his family. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Niles, American Legion Post 26 and the Niles Knights of Columbus. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth, a daughter Loretta Palenchar, a sister Regina Palenchar and two brothers Joseph and Michael Palenchar. He is survived by a son David (Sherry) Palenchar on Elkhart, Indiana, two sisters Marie Hanish and Josephine Fouchia both of Pennsylvania, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, March 22, 2013at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father David Otto officiating. An interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made in Tony's memory to St. Mary Catholic Church 219 S. State Street, Niles, Michigan 49120 or to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.