WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
John Joesph Lesniak, age 89, of South Bend, and a former longtime Sturgis resident, passed away Thursday morning, August 8, 2024, at Beacon Memorial Hospital in South Bend.
He was born September 19, 1934, in Detroit, son of the late Walter J. and Valeria (Lipa) Lesniak.
John resided in South Bend since 1990, coming from Sturgis where he lived from 1972-1999, and his early life was spent in the Detroit area.
On October 9, 1954, he married Elizabeth Jane Schodowski at Sweetest Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Detroit. She preceded him in death June 29, 1999.
John retired from Solvay Automotive in South Bend following several years of dedicated employment as a maintenance supervisor. He had also been employed at Bronson Plastics in Bronson for many years before being transferred to Solvay.
He was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in South Bend and Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis.
He was a member of Bend in the River Conservation Club in Niles. John could be described as an adventurous man, riding motorcycles, flying ultralight aircraft, and was working on obtaining a private pilots license. He had a passion for travel, traveling extensively throughout the United States, many of those travels on bus trips.
John took great pride in serving his country in the U.S. Army earning the rank of Corporal. Following his honorable discharge, he was called back into active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
He is survived by his son: John (Toni) Lesniak of Sturgis; daughter: Denise (Randy) Malone of Third Lake, Illinois; grandchildren: Brittany (Drew) Scheetz of Sturgis, Sami Lesniak of Sturgis, Tara Malone of Lake Villa, Illinois, Tyler Malone of Third Lake, Illinois and Lyndi Gibson of Coldwater; great grandchildren: Kennedy, Kale, Zakk, Chase, Blayn, Aadyn and Arizona; great great grandson: Myles and several nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents, wife, grandson: Aaron Malone; brothers: Walter Lesniak and William Lesniak and niece: Nanette Lesniak.
A graveside service and interment will take place Saturday, August 10th at 3:30 at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis. Father Raul Gomez of Holy Angels Catholic will officiate. Full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and U.S. Army Honor Guards.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Lesniak’s memory consider Three Rivers Health Hospice, 711 S. Health Parkway, Three Rivers, MI 49093.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
