Elmer W Bill BJORKLAND

23 APR 1931 - 17 NOV 2017

• BIRTH: 23 APR 1931, Murryville, PA
• DEATH: 17 NOV 2017, South Bend, IN

1.  Donald K. BJORKLAND

INDEX

[N18721] Elmer W. (Bill) Bjorkland
Apr. 23, 1931 - Nov. 17, 2017
SOUTH BEND - Elmer W. (Bill) Bjorkland, 86, passed away Friday, November 17, unexpectedly, at Grand Emerald Place in South Bend, IN. Bill was born April 23, 1931 in Murrayville, PA to the late Elmer and Evelyn (Beckwith) Bjorkland. On September 27, 1952, in Monroeville, PA he married Ruth M. (Bostedo) Bjorkland. Ruth survives along with their sons, Robert W. (Jean) Bjorkland and Don K. Bjorkland, both of Mishawaka; grandchildren, Matthew (Angela) and Christopher Bjorkland; and great-grandchildren, Sophia, Zoey and Heyden Bjorkland, whom Bill loved and cherished. Mr. Bjorkland will be dearly missed by his loving wife, family, church family and numerous friends he made through his life journey. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Rosanna Mayle and Marian Stare; and his brother, James Bjorkland. Mr. Bjorkland was a U.S. Army veteran serving during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged and was proud to have served this great country. After the Korean Conflict, Bill and Ruth moved to the Michiana area, coming from Pennsylvania. He was employed by NIPSCO for over 35 years, retiring in 1992.Bill enjoyed woodworking, gardening and fishing. He truly loved his family and enjoyed the 20 years he spent coaching organized baseball at Matthys and East End Little League Parks and Senior Travel League. He also served many years on the Warren Township Park Board. Many of the boys he coached, he loved as his own, but none more than getting to coach his 2 grandsons, Matt and Chris. Baseball would light up his eyes, especially the Chicago Cubs. He was also a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Notre Dame football. Bill was the #1 fan of all sports his kids and grandkids played. Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 21 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Hanley & Sons Funeral Home “Southwest Chapel” located at W. Ireland Road/23421 State Road 23, South Bend. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 22 at 11:00 AM in the funeral home, with Pastor Momcilo Vincic officiating. Also, friends may call one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Private Inurnment will take place at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger, IN at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305 or to any Little League of your choice. The HANLEY and Sons Funeral Home handled arrangements and services, and extends its deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the Bjorkland family.
Published in South Bend Tribune on Nov. 20, 2017