Patricia J. Skwiercz

Patricia J. Skwiercz of Elkhart, Indiana formerly of Osceola died December 27, 2015 at East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by her husband, sons, and her cousin Ann Alderson. She was born August 4, 1935 to the late Guy J. and Lydia I. (Bixler) Stoner in Mishawaka, Indiana. Pat lived all her life in the Osceola area except two years in Santa Monica, California after her marriage. Pat graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1954 and was interested in the Alumni Association. She attended the Michiana College of Commerce, graduating in 1956, and then began working her first job at the Continental Can Company in Elkhart. She later wrote freelance feature stories for the Elkhart Truth A.M. Section from 1969-1977. In 1977, she started working at the First Presbyterian Church in South Bend until her retirement in 1998.
On August 25, 1956, she married Aloysius A. Skwiercz at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka by the Rev. Eldon Miller. In 2006, Father Miller renewed their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, where she had been a member since 1959.
Pat was involved with the church, heading the funeral luncheon program for ten years. She was also past president of the Altar and Rosary Society and remained active in the church. Pat was also involved with the Osceola Historical Society and was an avid Notre Dame Football fan all of her life. She was happiest in her kitchen cooking and baking.
Surviving is her husband Aloysius A. Skwiercz of Elkhart, her son Andy (John Gold) Skwiercz of Elkhart, and her daughters Debbie (Pete) Buckley of Avon, Colorado and Janice Cook. Pat is also survived by her grandson Joshua Cook and her siblings; Joan (Jim) VanDusen of Elkhart and Jerry (Nancy) Stoner of Edwardsburg, Michigan. Surviving as well is her aunt Corrine Harden of Findlay, Ohio, brothers-in-law Joseph (Dottie) Skwiercz of Granger and Ben (Olivia) Skwiercz of Seattle, Washington, and her sister-in-law, Pearl Forcier of South Bend. She was preceded in death by her father Guy in 1971, her mother Lydia in 1986, her sister Mary Ann in 1944 and her son Arthur in 2010.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the 10:30 am Funeral Mass on Monday, January 4, 2016 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mishawaka. There will be a private interment at St. Joseph Cemetery in South Bend.
The family would like to thank the staff at East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and staff of Harbor Light Hospice for the care Patricia was given and their support for the family. In her memory, donations may be made to Queen of Peace School; 4508 Vistula Road, Mishawaka, Indiana 46544 or to Harbor Light Hospice, 1608 E. Day Road, Mishawaka, Indiana 46545.