Richard D Jasinski

Richard D. Jasinski, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at his home in South Bend.  Richard was born on February 2, 1933 in South Bend to the late Leo and Margaret (DeWispleare) Jasinski.

Left to cherish the memory of Richard is his high school sweetheart and wife of 71 years.  Eleanore (Gapinski) Jasinski; sons, Rick (Laura) Jasinski and Larry (Barbara) Jasinski; grandchildren, Christina (Paul) Soderlund, Ricky (Kelsey) Jasinski, Angela (Steven) Jimenez, Kyle (Hannah) Nichols, Christina (Matt) Cline, Katie Grill, Amy (Andrew) Kalka; great-grandchildren, Evan, Olivia, Colette, Locklyn, Gianna, Rocco, Austin, Cameron, Noah, Maddie, Allie, Nate, Sophia, Emily, Maxton, and Nico.

Richard was a lifelong resident of South Bend.  He graduated in 1951 from Washington High School. From 1951 to 1953 he proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War.  He was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado and Fort Belvoir, Virginia.  He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and received an honorable discharge in 1953.  After returning home, he married his loving wife, Eleanore on September 19, 1953.  He worked at Studebaker and Torrington as an inspector for 24 years.

In 1974, Richard was elected St. Joseph County Councilman and was appointed County Commissioner in 1975, where he served the people in the community for 21 years.  He also served many other organizations as a Board Member, including, the Knights of Columbus, Studebaker National Museum, Drainage Board of St. Joseph County, South Shore Line, South Bend International Airport, Union Board of Torrington, Maurice Matthys Little League, American Legion Post 357, Westside Democratic Club, and served on the St. Joseph Funeral Home and Cemetery Board for over 35 years. Richard was a member of PNA 83, St. Casimir Senior Club, and St. Joseph Young Men’s Society. He was instrumental in the completion of the Olive/Sample Overpass project. His hard work and dedication to this earned him the honor of having the overpass named, “The Jasinski Overpass.”  In addition to these accomplishments, he was also instrumental in the development of The St. Joseph County Jail, The Juvenile Justice Center, The Lincolnway/Ironwood Underpass, The upgrade of the South Shore Railroad and the Northern Indiana Center of History in St. Joseph County.

Above all else, Richard was a genuine and caring person who loved unconditionally and always put family first.  He was a jack of all trades and always willing to help. Richard enjoyed gardening, going to the casino, playing Santa for the grandkids, cooking his famous barbecue ribs, taking care of his lawn and feeding his buddy, Bozo the squirrel.  He was a Green Bay Packers and Notre Dame fan having attended many games. He was a devoted parishioner of Holy Family Church.

Visitation will be 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Rd., South Bend, with a Rosary to be prayed at 5:00 pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 56405 Mayflower Rd., South Bend with a visitation 9:00 am to 9:45 am at the Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery with Military Honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jackie Walorski VA Clinic, 1540 Trinity Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545 in honor Richard Jasinski. Condolences to the family may be made sjfh.net.

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