Santino J. Lentine

ELKHART -- Santino J. Lentine, 82, of Lake Drive, died at 10:40 a.m. Wednesday (Dec. 20, 2006) in the emergency room of Knapp Medical Center, Weslaco, Texas.

He was born Sept. 23, 1924, in Mishawaka to Angelo and Katherine (Catalino) Lentine. On Dec. 31, 1955, in Mishawaka, he married Marion L. Higgins. She preceded him in death on Aug. 13, 2006, in Elkhart.

He is survived by two sons, James R. Lentine and Peggy Dutrieux of Edwardsburg and Paul L. Lentine, also of Edwardsburg; two daughters, Theresa R. Haas and Welden Bell of Osceola and Ruth Ann (Danny) Randall of Goshen; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one brother, Thomas (Stella) Lentine of Mishawaka; and one sister, Josephine Lentine, also of Mishawaka.

He was preceded in death by his son, Michael P. Lentine; two grandsons, James R. Lentine Jr. and Raymond S. Haas; two brothers, Walter and Henry Lentine; and four sisters, Frances Polino, Ann Lentine, Mary Williams and Katherine Lentine.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, and one hour prior to the 11 a.m. Wednesday Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Edwardsburg. The Rev. Jo McCormick will officiate, and burial with military honors by the American Legion Post 365 and Navy Honors Unit will follow at Adamsville Cemetery. A parish Rosary will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Mr. Lentine was the owner/operator, along with his wife, of the Blue Room and Santino's restaurant in Elkhart for 32 years. He was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Edwardsburg and was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran, serving from 1944 to 1946 when he was honorably discharged. He was stationed on the LST 676 which was renamed the USS YAVAPAI, where he took part in the Iwo Jima operation, as well as amphibious support at Okinawa and occupation activities in Korea and China. He received the Victory medal, American Area Campaign Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal with two stars.

Mr. Lentine was a charter member of the Elkhart Evening Optimist Club and was a member of the Elkhart Moose Lodge 599, American Legion Post 365 in Edwardsburg, DAV Chapter 19 in Elkhart and the Gypsy Rovers Camping Club. He was a graduate of Mishawaka High School and was an avid Notre Dame fan. He and his wife had a winter residence in Donna, Texas, for many years.

Memorials may be given to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church or United Cancer Services of Elkhart County. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

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