Fred "Bud" Demske

Frederick C. Demske, 80, of Osceola, passed away early Thursday morning, December 18, 2014, in his home.

Fred, known as “Bud” by many, was born June 1, 1934 in Mishawaka, a son of the late Fred and Viola (Lock) Demske. He grew up in Mishawaka and was a graduate of Mishawaka High School. He served his country in the US Marine Corps from 1954 - 1958.

Fred married Barbara Conserriere on May 4, 1963 in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka. The couple made their home in Osceola.

In his younger years, Fred was an auto mechanic for Hibschman Pontiac. He retired from Dodge Manufacturing after 30 years of employment. After retirement he worked 10 years for Misch Manufacturing.

Fred was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mishawaka and the Moose Lodge in Elkhart. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He liked working in his yard and also vegetable gardening. When his children were growing up, Fred and the family owned and enjoyed horses as well as other farm animals.

Fred’s surviving family includes his wife of 51 years, Barb; five children, Laura Jane (Galen) Slabaugh of North Carolina, Matthew Wayne (Jennifer) Demske of Mishawaka, Brian Allen (Janet) Demske of Osceola, Michael Joseph (Karen) Demske of Osceola and Pamela Marie (Kaine) Thompson of Granger; eleven grandchildren,Cassidy, Gabrielle, Derek, Malary, Samantha, Thomas, Joseph, Jordan, Jack, Gavin and Lukas; three great grandchildren, Tripp, London and Karman; a brother, Leonard (Alice) Demske; brothers-in-law, Boyd Fry and Frank Kronewitter; and a sister-in-law, Lula Belle Demske.

Fred was preceded in death by three sisters, Joan Fry, Agnes Kronewitter and Virginia (Ronald) DeVore; and a brother, Donald Demske.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Tuesday, December 23, in Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 4508 Vistula Road, Mishawaka, with Rev. John Eze officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Military honors will be provided by VFW 360 / American Legion 161 Burial Squad.

Friends may spend time with Fred’s family from 4 - 7 pm on Monday in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka, where the Rosary will be prayed at 7 pm. Visitation is also from 9:30 - 10:30 am in the church on Tuesday.

Contributions in Fred’s memory are suggested to Queen of Peace Church or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.