Lenny Rzeszewski

New Carlisle- Clemens L. "Lenny" Rzeszewski, 90, of New Carlisle, passed away on Thursday November 7, 2013, in Hamilton Grove. He was born on November 6, 1923, in South Bend, to the late Paul and Mary (Wegner) Rzeszewski and was a lifelong area resident. On November 15, 1947 he married Louise Takacs, who survives. Lenny is also survived by his daughters, Barbara (Fred) Ziolkowski of New Carlisle and Carol Bevill of Trenton, MI; four grandchildren, Brian (Laura) Ziolkowski of Australia, Keith (Katie) Ziolkowski of Alaska, Kimberly Bevill (Brian Conaghan) of Traverse City, MI and Stephanie Bevill(Ricardo Solis) of Columbia, MD; four great-grandchildren, Izabella, Ariana, Xavier and Tatum Ziolkowski; two sisters-in-law, Mary Rzeszewski of South Bend and Lillian Sherwood of Plymouth, IN; and by three God children, Cyndi (Rollin) Windbigler and Eric (June) Rzeszewski, both of South Bend and John P . (Cristina) Kerekes of Pittsford , NY. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Veronica "Verna" Kazmierzak and Irene Balha; and by four brothers, Edward, Irvin, Thomas and infant Thaddeus Rzeszewski; and son-in-law, Alan Bevill. Lenny worked as a P.E. Teacher for the South Bend Community School Corporation at Riley and later LaSalle High School, where he coached basketball, baseball and cross country for many years. He retired in 1986 after 30 years of service. Lenny graduated from Central High School, where he played basketball for John Wooden and after serving in the Army in WWII he went on to play basketball at Indiana State again for John Wooden, while receiving his teaching degree. He received a Bachelor of Science and Masters degree from Indiana State University. Lenny was an All-American basketball star and was inducted into the Helms Foundation Hall of Fame for basketball. He was an avid Cubs and Notre Dame fan and loved golfing, jigsaw puzzles and creating paper gift boxes in retirement. Visitation for Lenny will be from 2 to 8 pm on Monday November 11, 2013, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 4 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am Tuesday November 12, 2013, in St. Jude Catholic Church (meet directly at church). Memorial contributions may be made to www.indianastatefoundation.org or Pet Refuge, 4626 Burnett Drive, South Bend, IN 46614.