Joel Ryan LUDWIG

29 MAY 1985 - 17 MAR 2016

• BIRTH: 29 MAY 1985, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 17 MAR 2016, Mishawaka, IN

INDEX

[N14301] Joel Ryan Ludwig
May 29, 1985 - Mar. 17, 2016
MISHAWAKA - Joel R. Ludwig, 30, of Mishawaka, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly early Thursday, March 17, after a brief illness. Joel was born on May 29, 1985, in South Bend, Indiana, to Russell and Betty (Baranowski) Ludwig. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Harvey and Charlotte (Butts) Ludwig; maternal grandparents, Frank and Alice (Wlodarek) Baranowski; his beloved great-uncle and aunt, Alfred and Phyllis Kromkowski; aunt, Sandra Sienicki, and uncles, Dennis Baranowski, Bobby “Bones” Baranowski and Mark Ludwig. He is survived by his mother and father, sister, Amber (Dan) Schmidtke of St. Louis, Missouri, brother, Brandon (Jenny) Ludwig of South Bend, Indiana, and one niece and goddaughter, Olivia Rose Ludwig, whom he adored. He is also survived by two uncles, Larry (Joyce) Baranowski and Jerry (Mary) Baranowski, an aunt, Mary (Ron) Wagner, and many cousins. Joel was a 2004 graduate of Mishawaka High School. He was an employee of Lowe's Home Improvement for ten years and previously worked at Meijer. He enjoyed babysitting and playing with Olivia, traveling, especially to St. Louis to see the Cardinals, and watching football and rooting for Notre Dame and the Cowboys. He looked forward to watching WWE, playing pool and darts or visiting the casino, but most of all he enjoyed poker nights with his dad, brother, and his close friends. Joel was a very loving and giving person and he touched the lives of all who knew him with his hugs, jokes, and smiles. “Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today.” - James Dean A viewing will be held from 2 until 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 21, at Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 N. Main St., Mishawaka. A short prayer service will follow in the chapel at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to the American Heart Association at 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674. Online condolences may be made to the family at bubbfuneralchapel.com. Published in South Bend Tribune on Mar. 20, 2016