John E. Butkovich

John E. Butkovich, 80, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away at 8:44 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Memorial Hospital of South Bend, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on September 6, 1941 to the late John D. and Catherine (Prahovich) Butkovich in Gary, Indiana, and has lived in South Bend since 1995, coming from Cincinnati, Ohio.

John graduated in 1963 with a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Notre Dame and was a 1968 graduate of Salmon P. Chase Law School of Northern Kentucky University.

John retired in March 2020 from the University of Notre Dame, where he worked as an Attorney in the Development Department.  Prior to that, he practiced law in Cincinnati, Ohio.  John represented injured workers and their families as a practicing Worker’s Compensation Attorney for 35 years.

On May 22, 1965, he married Mary Ann Roach at All Saints Catholic Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.  John is survived by his loving wife of nearly 57 years, Mary Ann Butkovich of South Bend, IN; two sons, Joseph (Kerry) Butkovich of Cincinnati, OH; Andy (Susan) Butkovich of Tucson, AZ; one daughter, Annie (Kevin) Geary of South Bend, IN; five grandchildren, Charlie (Chris) Brach; Patrick, Sean, Maggie, and Molly Butkovich; and two brothers, Larry (Ludmila) Butkovich of Florida; and Steve (Bonnie) Butkovich of Kentucky.

John was a member of St. Augustine Parish in South Bend.  He was a former Executive Director, former Board Member, and longtime supporter of Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County, Indiana.  He also served as the President of the Kennedy Heights Community Council in Cincinnati, Ohio. John was also a proud graduate, former employee, longtime fan and supporter of the University of Notre Dame. 

John loved to travel with Mary Ann. They had many adventures with wonderful friends and family that took them across the globe.

On behalf of John, our family would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all of the health care professionals at South Bend Memorial Hospital and the Dujarie wing at Holy Cross that cared for John in his final days.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. Saturday, May 7, 2022 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1501 W. Washington Street, South Bend, IN, where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 p.m. Saturday.  Private burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Augustine Soup Kitchen, 1501 W. Washington Street, South Bend, IN  46628; or Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County, 402 E. South Street, South Bend, IN  46601.

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