Bernard M. “Ben” Kuczka, 79, of Warsaw, passed away at 1:11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.
He was born Jan. 19, 1939, in Gary, to John and Mary Zulick Kuczka.
Ben was a Warsaw resident since 1977. He faithfully served his country in the United States Army from 1957 to 1961 as a private first class; he trained with the 82nd Airborne and served in the 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles.” He was a devoted soldier who thought of his comrades as his brothers.
He was united in marriage on July 19, 1975, in South Bend, to Judy Maenhout.
He was formerly employed by NIPSCO as a lineman with 30-plus years of service, retiring in 2000. He enjoyed the everyday challenges of the job.
Ben served as an assistant coach for the Sacred Heart football team and was a head coach, coaching several teams, in the Kosciusko County Youth Soccer League.
He was a devoted husband and loved being with his family firstmost, but also enjoyed fishing, playing cards, reading, traveling and working at the family business in Syracuse. His latest enjoyment was holding the great-grandson and seeing him smile. He will be missed in many ways by all.
His memberships include Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warsaw, and American Legion Post 49 and VFW Post #1126, both of Warsaw, where he was a lifetime member.
Survivors include his wife, Judy Kuczka of Warsaw; a son, Brian (spouse Lisa) Kuczka of Syracuse; a daughter, Bernadette (spouse Ray) Onesko of Hammond; a sister, Mary Kathleen Nero of Dyer; a brother, Kenneth (spouse Chris) Kuczka of Arizona; grandchildren: Brennan Kuczka, Tera Simpkins and Cheyenne (spouse Nate) Shaffer; and one great-grandson, Quinlan Kuczka.
He was preceded by a sister, Martha Stefankiewicz.
Visitation hours are scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, with a rosary service recited at 4:30 p.m., in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warsaw, with calling one-half hour prior. Military honors will be rendered by the Warsaw American Legion Post 49 and VFW Post 1126. Father Jonathon Norton will officiate the Mass.
Interment will be in Chapel Hill Cemetery, Osceola.
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Memorials to American Legion Post 49, 301 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw, IN 46580; Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 125 N. Harrison St., Warsaw, IN 46580; or St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 408 W. Catholic St. Pierceton, IN 46562.
To sign the register book or leave condolences electronically, go to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.
