Richard E. Carlton Jr.

Richard E. Carlton Jr., age 75 of Mishawaka, passed away unexpectedly from complications of the COVID-19 virus on December 28, 2020 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka.  Rich was born July 27, 1945 in South Bend to the late Richard Sr. and Louise (Bassett) Carlton.  On August 24, 1968, he married Rebecca Bach in South Bend. Becky preceded him in death on March 16, 2019.

He is survived by his sons Rich (Susan) Carlton of Edwardsburg, Michigan and Adam (Carley) Carlton of Elkhart along with his six grandchildren whom he adored; Olivia, Claire, Luke, Makenzie, Marshall and Holley Carlton.  He is survived as well by his sister Mary Alice Troyer of Three Rivers, Michigan.

Visitation will be held from 3:00-5:00 pm Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola with a celebration of Rich’s life to follow at 5pm.  For those unable to attend in person, Rich's celebration of life service will be streamed in real time.  The virtual waiting room will open at 4:30 pm and the staff of Cruz Family Funeral Home will admit those in the room in individually prior to the start of the services.  Please follow this link to join our services in real time: http://us02web.zoom.us/j/5746748689

Rich was a graduate of South Bend Washington High School and then attended college for 2 years before enlisting in the US Army.  He  was employed for over 30 years as a Union Plumber and Pipefitter for Local 172 and enjoyed spending time watching Cubs baseball, playing a round of golf and hanging around his many friends at the Union Hall.  After his retirement, Rich mentored and taught plumbing code to many new plumbers at the Union Hall.

Most of all, Rich was a fun loving and charismatic man who loved his family more than anything.   He and Becky will be long remembered for their annual Fourth of July parties.  He also coached his sons and many others Little League teams and was an avid supporter of his grandchildren’s sporting events and activities.   His great sense of humor and quick wit will be missed by those who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County.  To leave an online condolence, view his online video tribute, or light a virtual candle in his memory, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.