Jack DELAURELLE

30 APR 1943 - 17 FEB 2023

• BIRTH: 30 APR 1943, Mishawaka, St Joseph, IN
• DEATH: 17 FEB 2023, Mishawaka, St Joseph, IN

• MARRIAGE: 19 JUN 1971, Bethel United Methodist Church in Elkhart, IN

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[N34489] Jack DeLaurelle
April 30, 1943 - February 17th, 2023

Jack DeLaurelle, 79, of Mishawaka, IN passed away on the morning of Friday, February 17th, 2023, with his family by his side. Jack passed peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease and a recent hip fracture. Jack was born on April 30, 1943 in Mishawaka to Norman and Dolores (Witz) DeLaurelle, who both preceded him in death. He graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1961 and attended Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend to become a tool and die apprentice at Raco, Inc. where he worked for over 36-years. Jack served his country in the U.S. Army after being drafted in 1966 and completed a 1-year tour of duty as a medic and radio operator in Vietnam. On June 19, 1971, Jack was united in marriage to Jeanette 'Jan' (Darling) DeLaurelle at Bethel United Methodist Church in Elkhart, IN. They were happily married and lived in Mishawaka for over 51-years. During that time, they enjoyed traveling across the U.S. including 5 cruises and annual trips to their favorite destination, Mackinac Island, MI. Jack loved playing golf and bowling. He cheered on the Mishawaka High Cavemen in all sports as well as the Chicago Cubs and Bears. Jack was highly involved in the East United Methodist Church as the church treasurer, and a member of the Koinonia Sunday School Class. He enjoyed attending Sunday Services and helped organize the church fish fry's and peanut brittle fundraisers. Jack enjoyed working on cars, doing yard work, planning family vacations, and always looking for the best deals. Jack was known as 'Mr. Fixit' and enjoyed home projects for both himself and other family members. Above all else, Jack lived a life of service to others and loved spending time with his family. He was an incredibly loyal and dependable father and grandfather. He never missed an important event for either of his daughters or his five grandchildren. You could always count on Jack to be there for his family, no matter what. He was a kind-hearted, loving, and gentle soul whom everyone loved. Jack is survived by his wife Jan, as well as his two daughters, Cheryl (Michael) Howard of Noblesville, IN and Karen (Ted) Gardner of Portage, MI. Jack has five grandsons who he was incredibly proud of, Tyler Howard (22), Brandon Howard (20), Ryan Howard (15), Benjamin Gardner (18) and Joshua Gardner (16). Jack also has two siblings, Cindy (Curt) Adams and Mark (Joy), both of Mishawaka, IN. Jack's family is forever grateful for the wonderful and compassionate care from Boas and the staff at Always Best Home Care, Creekside Village, Phil with Home Instead and especially the nursing and caregivers at Saint Joseph Hospital. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, February 25th, 2023, from 9:30-11 a.m. at East United Methodist Church (1621 E. 3rd Street, Mishawaka, IN) with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m., officiated by Pastor Dorothy Jones. Palmer Funeral Home - River Park Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. The family has requested that in lieu of gifts, interested friends and family can make a donation to the Parkinson' Foundation.

Posted online on February 21, 2023
Published in South Bend Tribune