Alfons M. VanOverberghe

Alfons M. VanOverberghe, 84, of South Bend, Indiana passed at 5:25 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2023, surrounded by family in St. Joseph Medical Center. Al was a man of great faith, love, and hope. He was born on February 15, 1939, in South Bend, Indiana to Joseph and Angela (Matthys) VanOverberghe. On November 18, 1961, in St. Joseph Church, Mishawaka, Indiana he married Charlene Bortone, who preceded him in death on June 5, 2003.  On October 13, 2006, in Holy Family Church he married Lorrie Applegate who survives.  Alfons is also survived by his daughter, Kimberly (Roy) Dalton of South Bend, Indiana; his son, Michael (Kristine) VanOverberghe of Flower Mound, Texas; five grandchildren, Amelia (Brock) Ruppert, Valerie Dalton, Olivia Dalton, Lexi VanOverberghe and Colton VanOverberghe; three step-grandchildren; Brianna Urea, Hudson Urea, and Christian Urea. He is also survived by Lorrie’s children, Lori (Paul) South, Lynn (Bill) Long, Kristine (Rich) Gadacz, Julie (Steve) Chrobot, Jenn Applegate, Paul (Christine) Applegate and Dan (Carrie) Applegate; 22 step-grandchildren and 10 step great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lois (Vic) Krol and Sister Mary Alfonsa VanOverberghe; three brothers, Rich (Pat) VanOverberghe, Gerard (June) VanOverberghe and Russell (Linda) VanOverberghe; and his sister-in-law, Veronica VanOverberghe.  Alfons was preceded in death by two sisters, Dolores Pajakowski and Lucille Szlanfucht McMahon: and two brothers, Rene VanOverberghe and Larry VanOverberghe. A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and a rosary prayed at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at Kaniewski Funeral Home; 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 22, 2023, at Holy Family Church. Entombment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Alfons was a member of the first four-year graduating class at St. Joseph High School. For many years he made the Indian head plaques for the senior athletes at St. Joe. After high school, Al co-founded VanOverberghe Builders Inc. which he owned and operated for over 40 years. Alfons served in the United States Army and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #5570 where he achieved the rank of 4th Degree Knight. In retirement and his free time, Al continued to expand his love for travel, embarking on many bucket list trips, cruises, wintering in Florida, The Vatican, where he was able to attend a Cardinal ordination and see Pope Francis and Oberammergau, Germany where he saw The Passion Play. Al was an avid Euchre player and wood worker. At the Annual VanOverberghe retreat to the Maryville Center (Camp Holly), Al is credited with bringing 100’s of smiles to his nieces and nephews faces with his adaptation of a Slip-N-Slide. Al was a loving father, husband, brother and grandfather that will forever be known for his kindness, love of family, easy going spirit and faith.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be directed to Maryville Retreat Center at maryvilleretreatcenter.org.

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