Francis William Raab, Jr.

F. William “Bill” Raab, Jr., 80, of Mishawaka, Indiana passed away Saturday, June 11,

2022 in the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care’s Ernestine Raclin House.  Bill was

Born on August 27, 1941 in South Bend, Indiana to Francis W. Raab Sr. and Catherine

A. (Singler) Raab and was a lifelong resident.

On November 13, 1965, in St. Joseph Church, South Bend, he married Carolyn A.

Jagnecki, who preceded him in death on June 13, 2018. He had been employed with

Gibbs Wire and Steel for 30 years.  After his “retirement” he worked part-time for

several years at Veldman’s Service Center. 

Bill is survived by three children, Dr. Catherine A. (Troy) Bennett of Osceola, Cynthia

A. Vasta of Mishawaka, and Brian W. Raab of Los Angeles, CA; nine grandchildren,

Mika J. R. Whitcroft, Zane W. A. Whitcroft, Grant T. Bennett, Landon L. Bennett,

Salvatore W. A. Vasta, Blaise A. Vasta, Jacob A. Raab, Joseph W. Raab and Andrew

R. Raab; one great-granddaughter, Alycia R. Whitcroft; one sister, Kay A. Anderson of

South Bend; and one brother, John (Mary) Raab of South Bend.

Bill was former member of St. Pius X Church and Holy Family Parish where he served

as an Usher, Communicant and Lector. He was a proud member of the Knights of

Columbus. He was a 3 rd degree member of the Fr. John Carroll #5570 Council where

he was a cook for the spaghetti dinner fundraisers and organized the breakfast

fundraisers for Holy Family School. Additionally he was a 4 th degree member of the Fr.

Nieuwland Assembly.

He was a hard-working, compassionate man who loved his family, his dogs and Notre

Dame. We envision an enthusiastic welcome from all his 4-legged children as he

enters the gates of Heaven!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30pm, Friday, June 24, 2022 at St.

Pius X Church, with visitation in the Parish Life Center starting one hour prior to

Mass. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park. 

A very special thank you to the team of wonderful people who cared for Dad during the

past year, especially Dr. Karissa Misner, Tina, Olivia and Trevor. The Ernestine Raclin

House team did an outstanding job making him comfortable in his final days and we

are deeply indebted to you all. May God bless you, your hard work, soft hands and

warm hearts. Memorial Contributions may be directed to Foundation for Hospice and

Palliative Care foundationforhospice.org/donate.

Kaniewski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.

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