Aaron Katz

Dec. 13, 1918 - May 13, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Aaron Katz, 93, passed away early Sunday morning at the Milton Home. Mr. Katz was born in Chicago, IL, on December 13, 1918. On June 13, 1943, he married Bert (Plotkin) Katz in Chicago, who passed away on May 2, 1986. Aaron later remarried in 2006 to Muriel (Rubin) Katz. She survives of South Bend. Besides his wife, Muriel, he is survived by his children, Larry (Paula) Katz of Fremont, CA, Steve (Laurie) Katz of Niles, MI, Debbie (Paul) Sandock of Carmel, IN, Martin (Kelly) Katz of Beverly Hills, CA, and Stuart (Heather) Katz of Irvine, CA; 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Thelma Katz Feller of Phoenix, AZ, and Ethelle Katz of Chicago. During World War II, he worked at Bendix and Studebaker as an Engineer Draftsman. Aaron was mechanically gifted and could build or fix almost anything. In 1946 he opened a self-service laundry in River Park, which grew into Kay Supply and Equipment. In 1970 he founded Kay Industries, Inc., in Plymouth, IN. He remained active in his businesses well into his 80s. His first love after his large family was traveling in his motor home. He and Bert spent many months on the road. They often took one or more of their grandchildren on those trips. He also enjoyed rebuilding cars in his well-equipped home shop. Mr. Katz was a member and served on the board at Sinai Synagogue for many years and he was active in the Jewish Welfare Fund. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 am in the McGann Hay, Forest G. Hay Chapel, 435 S. Ironwood Drive at Jefferson, with Rabbi Michael Friedland officiating. Burial will follow at the Hebrew Orthodox Cemetery, Mishawaka. Donations in Aaron's memory may be made to Sinai Synagogue, 1102 E, LaSalle Ave., South Bend, IN 46617. To send condolences to the family or for directions, log on to www.mcgannhay.com.