Leonard M. "Lenny" Gish

Leonard M. “Lenny” Gish, 82, of South Bend, IN, passed away at 2:42 p.m. Thursday, January 6, 2022 at his sister’s home, surrounded by his sister Elaine and his neighbors, Brad and Mary (Schmanski) Niedbalski. 

He was born on August 11, 1939 to the late Harry Paul and Stella Frances (Gudynowski) Gish in South Bend, IN, and was a lifelong area resident.  

Lenny graduated in 1957 from St. Joseph High School in South Bend.  He is a U.S. Army Veteran, where he spent 13 months in Korea. 

He was retired from Simplicity Pattern in Niles, MI, where he worked in the shipping/receiving department for over 20 years.  

Lenny is survived by his sister, Elaine M. Gish of South Bend, IN; numerous cousins; and friends. 

He was a member of Holy Cross Parish and American Legion Post #357.  Lenny was an usher for Notre Dame Football and Notre Dame men and women’s basketball for over 62 years.  Lenny was an avid Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Bears fan.  He enjoyed watching NASCAR, working in his yard, mowing grass with his riding mower, and planting flowers.  He also liked taking walks for exercise, listening to Abba, and loved his kittens, Mittens and Mr. Toes. 

Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN.   A Catholic Funeral Service will follow at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home, where military honors will take place by American Legion Post #357.  Private entombment will take place in St. Joseph Cemetery, at a later date. 

*Due to the current Pandemic, the family kindly requests anyone attending the visitation/funeral service to please wear masks.

Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; Ronald McDonald House Charities of Indiana-Michiana, 610 N. Michigan St., Ste. 310, South Bend, Indiana 46601; or Shriner Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607. 

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

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