Gary L. Tobolski

Gary L. Tobolski, 62, 15190 Happy Acres Trail, Plymouth , died as a result of an automobile accident on Friday, January 24, 2003. Gary died at 4:05 a.m. in the Emergency Room of the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth, following the one car accident on 13th Rd. near State Hwy. 17. Born in South Bend on February 28, 1940 , Gary was the son of Leo C. and Eileen Wickers Tobolski. He graduated from New Carlisle High School with the class of 1958 and attended Purdue Campus and Indiana University South Bend taking courses in his specific field. He served his country in the United States Navy from 1958 through 1960, on the USS Des Moines in the Mediterranean Sea. On June 8, 1963 , Gary and Jerri C. Kwiecinski were married at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in South Bend . That same year he joined the U.S. Postal Service. He assumed the position of Postmaster at Knox , Ind. from 1984 until 1997. Following his retirement, Gary soon needed something to occupy his time. He became a chauffeur for the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ until November of 2000. For many years, prior to the renovation of Notre Dame Stadium, he proudly served as a gate supervisor during the football season. When his sons were growing up, Gary was involved in the New Carlisle Little League and Scouting programs. He was a practical man who enjoyed serving others in different ways; one will be remembered and touched by many through Gary’s own enrollment in the organ donor program, which his family so honored. While residing in Knox, being very civic-minded, he served on various committees. He was a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council in Knox and held a number of different offices in the organization. A member of the Knox Kiwanis Club, the Moose Lodge and the Eagle Lodge, he also was a member of the Chain of Lakes Conservation Club of Lydick, Ind. As a resident on Myers Lake, he enjoyed fishing locally and on family trips to Wisconsin. He would rarely miss a sporting event or activity of his grandchildren whom he loved dearly. Gary is survived by his wife, Jerri, and by their two sons and their families: G. Brian (Chantelle L.) Tobolski, Culver and their children G. Preston, Christopher J. and Bethany C. Tobolski and Andrew L. (Heidi G.) Tobolski, South Bend and their sons, A. Michael and twins, Jacob M. and Lucas H. Tobolski. Two brothers: Donald M. (Masako) Tobolski, Albuquerque, NM, and Alan B. (Janet) Tobolski, Salt Lake City, Utah, also survive together with a sister, Eileen T. Tobalski, Indianapolis, and several nieces and nephews. Mildred L. Kwiecinski, his mother-in-law, of South Bend, survives as well. Gary was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation with his family will be in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2003. A Rosary will be said at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 , at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Lake Roman Catholic Church , 124 College Ave. in Culver, where Gary was an active member. Fr. Glenn Kohrman pastor and Fr. Jeff Largent, former pastor, will concelebrate the Mass. Memorial gifts in Gary ’s memory may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ or St. Mary of the Lake Church .