James Richard Cerney

Obituary
On June 30th, James R. Cerney, 85, of South Bend, passed into Heaven at home, with his family surrounding him. Jim was born to William J. and Gertrude Cerney on April 24, 1938. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1956, attended Indiana University, Bloomington, and owned Cerney Construction Co., Inc.
On September 12, 1959, he married the love of his life, Jane E. Goff, in St. Matthew Church. They met on the ice at Gravel Lake, in Lawton, Michigan, where their parents both owned cottages on opposite sides of the lake. Always together, they had four beautiful children, Jim, Janice, Jeff, and their adopted daughter, Rhonda Jane.
Jim loved antique cars. The family enjoyed years of Pioneer Auto Association tours and activities, with their P.A.A. friends. He was a lifetime member of the South Bend Elks #235, where he and Jane enjoyed their weekly dinners with all their special friends. He was a proud member of the Penn High School Building Trades Board, almost from the beginning of the program. He was a member and past president of the Home Builders Association of St. Joseph County during his years of construction. After retirement, Jim loved to meet with his "Breakfast Buddies" at Chick-fil-A, where they solved the problems of the world!
Survivors include his wife, Jane, of 63 years, children Jim and Shari L, Janice and Bob Stevens, and Jeff and Shari A. Jim is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Tai and Brennan Carter, Ali and Aaron Renz, Alyssa and Travis Betz, Jillian and Aaron Manes, Jeff and Stacie Nyikos, Nicholas and Jessica, Joshuah and Jennifer, 18 great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews to cherish his memory.
Jim was predeceased by a daughter Rhonda and all his siblings, Mary Lou (Billie) Thomas, Trudy Rose, Jo Ann Reagan, Bill Cerney, Jr., and Patricia Fewell.
Visitation will be on Thursday July 6, from 4:00pm – 8:00 pm in Hahn Funeral Home 505 W. 8th Street Mishawaka. With an Elk Service at 5:00 PM in the funeral home. Funeral Services will be held on Friday at 11:00 am in the funeral home, with visitation one hour prior to service. Cremation will follow services.
The family wishes to thank the Center of Hospice Care for their kindness and compassion while caring for Jim. They were a great comfort to our family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545, or to South Bend Elks #235, 3535 E. McKinley Ave., South Bend, IN 46615.
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