Dolores WITTLING

15 JAN 1937 - 8 DEC 2021

• BIRTH: 15 JAN 1937, South Bend, St Joseph, IN
• DEATH: 8 DEC 2021, South Bend, St Joseph, IN

INDEX

[N30596] Dolores Wittling
January 15, 1937 - December 8, 2021

Dolores Tepe, 84, died peacefully in her home on Wednesday evening, December 8, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 15, 1937 to Josephine and Joseph Wittling. She was the youngest of eight children, and she called South Bend her home her entire life. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1955. “Dee”, “Dodo”, “Dolores” did not know a stranger. She brought goodness, kindness, and thoughtfulness into every room she entered. She had a way of making someone she just met feel like a long-time friend. She was a person of strong faith, and with her determination and feisty attitude, she was able to continue her zest for life, even though she was not feeling well these last couple of years. On January 9, 1960 she married Sonny Tepe, her honey, and together they shared 59 wonderful years of marriage. She was determined to put an emphasis on service and volunteering. Shortly after marriage, Service Guild and Logan Center became a focus of her service. After beating lung cancer, she started volunteering for Hospice for over 20 years. In addition to Hospice, she ran the used clothing department at Christ Child. One of her favorite service projects was being the lone employee working in Department 16 at the former Tepe's stores. She would take defective toys and baby goods, create brand new items, and then donate the new items to those in need. As a longtime member of Morris Park Country Club, she became an avid golfer and tennis player. She even had 3 holes-in-one at Morris Park on 3 of the 4 par 3’s. She loved to stock up "Tepe's Tepee" and travel to Notre Dame football games or a couples’ golf outing with her dearest friends. She loved Magician Lake, the family pool, bridge, her luncheons with her high school friends, and her home for over 50 years. She enjoyed her time in the kitchen preparing meals, especially around the holidays. Spending time and communications with her family was her greatest treasure.She is survived by her four children of South Bend/Granger, Indiana, Mark (Erin) Tepe, Matt Tepe, Michele (Mike) McNeill, and Manette Tepe; along with her six grandchildren, Caitlin (Rob) Langtry, Brianne (Jordan) Roy, Maggie (Mike) Buckiso, Brigid Tepe, Kelaine (Lavarr) Barnett, and Michael Tepe McNeill. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Jayden, Jackson, Lena and Liam Barnett, and Bennett Roy. Also surviving is her sister Mary Carusillo, as well as many nieces, nephews and relatives. Preceding her in death were her husband Elmer (Sonny) Tepe and granddaughter Manette Josephine McNeill, brothers Joseph, Bob, Chris and Harold Wittling and sister Jeannette Johnson. The family will receive friends and family at Palmer Funeral Home - Welsheimer North Chapel, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, Indiana, on Thursday, December 16 from 3:00pm-6:00pm, with a rosary at 4:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 17 at 11:00am at Saint Matthew Cathedral, 1701 Miami Street, South Bend, IN, with Rev. Terry Fisher officiating. A visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service. A private burial service will take place at a later date at St Joseph Valley Memorial Park. In Dee's memory, memorial donations may be made to The Christ Child Society Inc, 308 South Scott Street, PO Box 1286 South Bend, IN 46624 or Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left for the Tepe family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Posted online on December 11, 2021
Published in South Bend Tribune