John Martin "Marty" Stefucza

Feb.4, 1954 – Oct.5, 2010

SOUTH BEND — John Martin Stefucza, 56, known to certain of his friends as “Marty,”died at home on October 5, 2010. John was born in 1954 to JoAnne M.(Lefler) and Alexander A.Stefucza, and had lived most of his life in South Bend, with some time spent working in Indianapolis and Michigan, after graduating from Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana.John received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Purdue after graduating from John Adams HS in South Bend.

As with all of us, he had many personal dimensions and different people saw different aspects of John.Though he struggled with certain personal challenges, he found his own unique path. John followed his father’s engineering path and wanted to provide for a family as his father had. He assumed the care of his mother in the later years of her life, which allowed her, as she firmly wished, to remain in her home as long as possible.

From an early age, John displayed an innate ability to understand how things mechanical worked, fix almost anything, and could take machines apart, rebuild them or make them into something new and improved.Among the aspects of John to be remembered is his deep love of animals, and especially his beloved cats. Though he was a closed and private person to many, he dearly wanted to start a family of his own. Those he let into his world knew a steadfast, caring friend who would offer just the right words and would give assistance in any way he was able.He did impromptu acts of kindness, such as buying a large rosebush which he planted in the common area of his neighborhood, so that all residents could enjoy it.John left vegetables from his garden on the step of a home across the field from his garden, wanting to share what he knew they had watched grow all season.He started several apple trees from seed and sent one to his sister, which are thriving and will long stand as a remembrance of John. John shot off fireworks from his back yard, some quite large, and sometimes to the concern of his neighbors

He kept up with scientific developments and was able to explain complex scientific concepts to non-scientists, and from him one could sense his excitement in the learning and in the sharing. .

Donations in John’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674;or to the Humane Society of St. Joseph County, 2506 Grape Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Welsheimer Family Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com

Source: Newspapers.com

02/13/2025 EJS