In Memory
Louis Richard Dempsey
May 23, 1926 - Sept. 13, 2010
UNION - Louis Richard Dempsey died peacefully on Monday, September 13, 2010, in the Cass Co. Medical Care Facility after an extended illness. Lou was 84. He was born in South Bend, Ind., on May 23, 1926, the first-born son of the late Joseph P. and Theresa (Collins) Dempsey.
He attended St. Monica's School and was among the first graduating class (1944) of John Adams High School in South Bend. Lou proudly served his country during WW II in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1944 to 1946 with the 8th. Air Force, 413th Signal Co. in Okinawa, Japan.
He married Wanita "June" Emmert on May 14, 1949. She passed away on July 8, 1994. He then married Arlene Zuchowski on July 15, 1997, in Lexington, KY. Lou is survived by his wife, Arlene Dempsey of Union, MI; his son, James (Patricia) Dempsey of Katy, TX; four daughters, Kathy (Bernie) Blanda of Mishawaka, Janet (Greg) Lauer of Sudbury, MA, Laurie Dempsey of Jersey City, NJ, and Mary (Jim) Nagy of Elkhart; a step-son, Mark (Laura) Zuchowski of Union; and three stepdaughters, Lisa (Jim) Morgan of Union, Lynn (Mike) Stanyard of Walworth, N.Y., and Melanie (Mark) Rockrohr of Elkhart. Nine grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren survive as well, along with brothers, Patrick (Barb) Dempsey of Hendersonville, NC, and Frank (Ginny) Dempsey of Kokomo, and his sister, Carolyn (Ron) Schmanske of Elkhart.
Lou worked for over 30 years at Morgan Drive Away in Elkhart, starting in the mail room, and was a vice-president and controller when he retired in 1986. Lou formerly served as the Ottawa Township supervisor in Edwardsburg, and was also a volunteer with Reins of Life and the equestrian events when the Special Olympics were held in South Bend. Lou was a lifelong horseman and loved to show his five-gaited American Saddlebred horse at area horse shows including the Berrien Co. Youth Fair.
Lou was known for his smile and his signature "you look beautiful," voiced to almost everyone he saw. Please join with family and friends as we celebrate his life with visitation from 2-8 p.m. today, Sept. 15th, in the Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart.
There will also be one hour calling prior to the 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 16th, Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, located at 24832 US Hwy. 12, Edwardsburg, MI 49112. Reverend Joseph McCormick will officiate.
Burial and military graveside services will be rendered by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard at Adamsville Cemetery, Edwardsburg. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Chapter Headquarters Greater Indiana, 50 East 91st Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
Published in South Bend Tribune on September 15, 2010.
04/09/2021 DEC
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