John Joseph Voorde

John Joseph Voorde died on September 2nd, 2026 from complications of Post-Polio Syndrome. He was 81 years old.

Born “2, 3, ‘45”, John was the fourth of seven children born to Mayor Edward F. “Babe” and Theresa Muszik Voorde.

John graduated from St. Patrick’s Grade School (’58) and St. Joseph’s High School (’62). His fondest boyhood memories involved the Boy Scouts, playing board games with his siblings, baking with his mom, and attending White Sox baseball and Notre Dame football games with his dad. He always claimed to be “mom’s favorite,” which was never quite confirmed nor denied.

After graduating high school, John studied Business Administration at Indiana University South Bend (’68). Though he’d later earn a Master of Science in Administration from Notre Dame (’87), his identity as an “IU guy” was one of his proudest. He received the Alumni Association’s President’s Award in 2000 and the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007. He made many drives down to Bloomington with friends for football and basketball games. No trip was complete without Bloody Marys, a stop at Nick’s, and a stay at Indiana Memorial Union.

From 1968 to 1972, John taught social studies at St. Joseph South Bend Grade School, and Le Mans Academy in Rolling Prairie. He then joined his older sisters, “Sis” and Charlotte, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., working for Congressman Andy Jacobs and the House Judiciary Committee. John even tried out the West Coast for a while, living in Newport Beach, California, and working for Parker Hannifin. Never one to stay away from home for too long, John returned to his South Bend roots for good in the 1970s.

Though his father, Mayor “Babe” Voorde, passed away on John’s first day of high school, his example was enough to instill in John a lifelong commitment to serving the city of South Bend. As a Foreman on the Street Department, John developed a familiarity with every nook and cranny of town. He learned that effective government is intuitive, accountable, and rooted in community. These skills benefited John when he put his name on the ballot for the first time in 1979, ultimately winning his first term as an At-Large Member on the City Council.

John would serve forty years as an elected official, leading the Council as President during Mayor Joe Kernan’s first term before going on to hold office as Portage Township Assessor and City Clerk, then returning to the Council At-Large. John never described himself as a politician, despite four decades as one. He instead saw himself as an imperfect public servant, firm in his convictions but also not afraid to admit when his position had changed. While a staunch, lifelong Democrat, he wasn't shy about reaching across the aisle. The positions he advocated, the relationships he held, and the initiatives he supported were born of a constant pursuit of what was best for the city and its people.

John held an encyclopedic knowledge of South Bend. He could answer seemingly any question about precinct maps, the municipal code, or the history of a neighborhood block. He could tell you the last time a city street was paved and name the families who had lived on it for three generations. He brought that leadership to numerous local boards, including the History Museum in South Bend, the Italian-American Club, the Frantz Fund, the Urban League, and the Press Club. During his time as City Clerk, John served on the Board of Directors of the Indiana League of Municipal Clerk-Treasurers, taking every opportunity to show off our city to municipalities across the state. A longtime parishioner of Saint Joe Parish in South Bend, he enjoyed time as a member of the Church Council, a Lector, and a Eucharistic Minister.

John’s life would change forever with the birth of his daughter, Emily Frances. They would spend 34 years together, evolving from coloring and tea parties to reading Harry Potter, commentating Notre Dame football and basketball games, and debating politics. Throughout his time as City Clerk and on the Council, John would retreat to his office after every Council meeting to call Emily and debrief.

Family was where John wanted to be. John, his sisters, his mom, and Emily spent countless weekends playing Euchre, eating breakfast at the old Cedar House or the Pancake House, or taking a meandering drive through Southwest Michigan for a day at the beach and a Redamak’s burger. If John was shoveling snow at his house, he was throwing the shovel in the car and going over to his mom’s and sisters’, too. If he was planting flowers at the family cemetery plot, he was also planting flowers at the plot of a long-passed colleague.

John’s bright eyes, warm smile, and sense of humor endeared him to many, whether you called him “JV,” “Pops,” “Ol’ Vord,” “John Vorday,” or “Voorde.” His family and friends will remember him at every turn: when they write with a felt-tip pen, drink a beer over ice, see a full moon, “flick the lights” when the party is going too long, or dish up a bowl of cottage cheese. We’re not quite sure what we’re going to do without him, but we know he’d want us to keep on living.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Edward F. “Babe” Voorde and Theresa (Muszik); his sister, Frances Mary “Sis;” his brother, Edward; sisters Charlotte and Christine “Chris;” and nephews Edward Voorde III, Michael Voorde, and Chad Ellett.

He is survived by two siblings, Paul Voorde and Theresa “Tess” Ellett; his brother-in-law, Eric “Ric” Ellett; nieces Kathryn (Voorde) Barbian, Nicole “Nikki” Voorde, and Amy (Ellett) Ramirez; nephews Brian Voorde, Brandon Voorde, Keith Ellett, and Brad Ellett; and his daughter, Emily Voorde.

A Rosary will be prayed at 4:00 p.m. Friday, October 16th, 2026, followed by a visitation until 6:00 p.m. at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN 46628. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17th, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 226 N. Hill St, South Bend, IN 46617. There will be an hour of visitation at the back of the Church prior to Mass.

In lieu of flowers, Emily asks that you share a memory you have of her dad that the family can look back on in the days, months, and years ahead. Stories and photos can be sent to Emily Voorde, PO Box 6856, South Bend, IN 46615.

For those interested, Memorial Contributions may be made to the South Bend History Museum, 808 W. Washington Street, South Bend, IN 46601.

To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.

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