Rebecca S. BARNAK

14 NOV 1968 - 5 MAR 2022

• BIRTH: 14 NOV 1968, St Joseph, Berrien, MI
• DEATH: 5 MAR 2022, South Bend, St Joseph, IN

INDEX

[N31602] Rebecca S. Barnak (Bencsics)
November 14, 1968 ~ March 5, 2022 (age 53)

Rebecca S. Barnak (Bencsics), 53, of South Bend, IN, passed away at 7:31 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2022 in her home. She was born on November 14, 1968 to Joseph F. and Peggy L. (Huss) Barnak in St. Joseph, MI, and has lived in South Bend, IN since 1987. Rebecca worked as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. She is survived by her three sons, Andrew, Adam, and Alec Bencsics, all of South Bend, IN; her mother, Peggy Brehm of Mishawaka, IN; and her ex-husband, Steve Bencsics of South Bend, IN. Rebecca was preceded in death by her father, Joseph F. Barnak; and her brother, Joseph S. Barnak. Rebecca enjoyed many different hobbies and interests. She had a love for motorcycles and owned several throughout the years. Rebecca also held a 2nd degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, which she earned from Michiana Karate Academy where she taught and practiced. After paying for her sons’ violin lessons she was inspired to learn how to play herself. She loved Great Danes and owned several beginning in 1994: April, Mae, Cloud, Chloe, and Gibson, as well as her English Mastiff, Evan. Later in life she found joy in watching movies, listening to music and playing video games with her sons. She felt like a celebrity going anywhere her sons worked or seeing them perform live music. Her 2020 trip to Egypt with Alec was a major highlight of her life. Rebecca graduated from Lakeshore High School in Stevensville, MI in 1986. In 1991, Rebecca graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Communications. Several years after having children, she earned an Associate of Science from Ivy Tech. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday, March 14, 2022 at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, IN, with Paul Stearns officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery, South Bend, IN. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.