Name: Mass of Christian Burial for William Howard "Bill" Strycker
Start: 2025-09-06T11:00:00.000Z
Location: Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Palmer Funeral Homes - Guisinger Chapel on Aug. 19, 2025.

Publish in a newspaper

William "Bill" Howard Strycker, 74, of South Bend, Indiana passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Bill was born on March 13, 1951 in South Bend to Howard and Leolia (Augustine) Strycker. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1969, and received a BA from the University of Notre Dame in 1973.

He married Valerie Jean Gerbeth, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame, on August 16, 1975. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Bill worked for Walsh and Kelly for over 40 years. Upon retirement, he discovered his love for golf. Bill was a proud Notre Dame Alumni and a passionate Fighting Irish Fan - particularly when football was involved. He was an avid reader, who enjoyed history and political science. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends – such as at the Strycker-Paloozas.

He is survived by his wife, Valerie, daughter, Melissa (Eric) Grzeskowiak; and his especially beloved grandson, Jacob. He is also survived by his siblings: Ginger (Dennis) Hixenbaugh of South Bend; Rosemary (John) Hess of South Bend; Laura (Rob) Overholser of Cassopolis, MI; Larry Strycker of Lakeville, IN; and Mike (Sonya) Strycker of Loveland, CO; Sister-In-laws: Roxanne (Lee) Ewing; Susan (Paul) Jones; Cynthia (Roger) Duff; and dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Leolia Strycker; sister, Bonnie Strycker; brother, Daniel Strycker; sister-in-law, Karen Strycker; brother-in-law, Tom Grimason; niece, Danielle Rosso; and nephew, Ryan Ewing.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held September 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Lakeville, IN. After the service, visitation and celebration of life will be held in the church hall. Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, South Bend is assisting with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Heartland Hospice, 230 W. Catalpa Drive, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 22324, New York, NY 10087. Online condolences may be offered to the Strycker family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign William Strycker's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Recent Activity

Earlier today

Michael Cannariato posted to the memorial.

August 20, 2025

Paula Leonhard posted to the memorial.

August 19, 2025

Palmer Funeral Homes - Guisinger Chapel announced events.

2 Entries

Michael Cannariato

Earlier today

Bill was one of my first friends I met at Notre Dame in the Fall of 1969. " You´ll know your friends better in the first few moments than you´ll know your acquaintances in a lifetime"
That instant connection was true for me.

We shared an off campus house our Junior year. We ended up choosing the same major, American Studies, so we were in many classes together.
At least annually I´d return to campus after graduation and was always warmly invited and put up at Bill and Valerie´s beautiful property, just down the road from their family´s original homestead. While in college and with each post graduate visit, Bill´s family were always included in my visit when I returned.
I will echo one of our housemates, Rick Kordash´s reply, to the news of Bill´s passing with : " Bill was a fantastic guy; literally one of the nicest, most decent people I´ve ever met. Sad . . . "
Wherever his kind gracious soul persists, to quote Bill, I trust he will "give `em both barrels!"
Sincere condolences to the irreplaceable loss his family has experienced.
R. I. P. my dear friend.

Mike & Anne Cannariato