Ralph E. Brennan

March 18, 1924 - June 24, 2010
MISHAWAKA - Dr. Ralph E. Brennan, 86, died at the Center for Hospice in Elkhart at 8:45 p.m. Thursday evening surrounded by many loved ones. He was the only child of Edward T. and Ruth F. (Huffine) Brennan at the Washington Park Hospital, Chicago, IL. Ralph graduated from Hyde Park High School in June 1942. He served three years in the Army during WW II. His unit was the 503 Parachute Regiment Combat Team. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star Medal for valor in combat. He was honorably discharged in February 1946. Ralph spent the next seven years at Indiana University earning a BS in 1950 and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the School of Dentistry in 1953. He came to Mishawaka after graduation and practiced dentistry until January 2000. On May 1, 1954, he married Mary Ellen Flack. He practiced with her father, Dr. W. Steele Flack, from 1954 to 1978. Dr. Brennan is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen and their six children, Kevin P. (LeAnna), Michael E. (Janice), Mary Pat (Richard) Torbeck, Dr. Matthew S. (Tracy) John R. (Jody) and Edward T. (Jennifer). They have 13 grandchildren: Robert, Christopher, Virginia, Katherine, Clark, Margaret and Brian Torbeck, Grace, Collin, Ellen, Patrick, Ralph and Jack. Ralph was a life member of the American Dental Association and the North Central Dental Association. He volunteered his service for many years at the Children's Dispensary, he was a former member of the South Bend Elks Lodge #235 and of the Morris Park Country Club as well as the Mishawaka Kiwanis Club. He was an active member of the Mishawaka Knights of Columbus and VFW Post #360 in Mishawaka. Dr. Brennan enjoyed his grandchildren and wandering around on the golf courses. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Pius X Catholic Church, Fir and SR 23 in Granger, where friends may call from 9:30-10:15 a.m. prior to Mass. Entombment will be in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will also be on Monday from 5-7 p.m. in the McGann Hay, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23 (enter off Cherry Road). There will be a parish vigil service at 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that donations be made to The Village of Merici, PO Box 436, Brownsburg, IN 46112, online at VillageofMerici.org.; or to Hospice House of Elkhart, 22579 Old US 20e, Elkhart, IN 46516. To send condolences to the family or for directions, log on to www.McGannHay.com.