Jan. 2, 1919 - Jan. 19, 2010

ELKHART -- Raymond Joseph Zuchowski, 91, of Elkhart, formerly of New Lenox, Ill., died at 5:09 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 19, 2010) in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, after a sudden illness.

He was born Jan. 2, 1919, in Chicago to Joseph and Lottie (Brudnachowski) Zuchowski. On Aug. 10, 1940, he married Charlotte Boyda in Chicago. She preceded him in death on April 14, 1975, in Dalton, Ill.

He is survived by one sister, Emily Padley of Chicago; four grandchildren, Lisa (Jim) Zuchowski-Morgan and Mark (Laura) Zuchowski of Union, Mich., Lynn (Michael) Stanyard of Rochester, N.Y., and Melanie (Mark) Rockrohr of Elkhart; and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth R. Zuchowski; a brother, Chester Zuchowski; and two sisters, Lillian Kalwasinski and Cecile Smolinski.

Friends may call from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1205 N. Main St., Elkhart. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:30 a.m. The Rev. William "Bill" Sullivan will officiate with military honors by the Edwardsburg, Mich., VFW Post 2284 to be rendered at the church. Cremation will take place with burial at a later date in Holy Cross Cemetery, Calumet City, Ill.

Raymond retired from U.S. Steel in Chicago, where he worked as an electrical engineer in the power plant. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, VFW, Moose Lodge and was a member and eucharistic minister at St. Jude's Catholic Church in New Lenox. He has lived in Elkhart for the past four years and had attended St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church with his family here. Raymond was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving aboard the USS Teak from 1944 until his honorable discharge in 1946. He received the Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with one star and a unit citation with the Seventh Fleet. He also enjoyed woodworking and whittling , had a green thumb and beautiful gardens.

Memorials may be given to DAV Chapter 19, 1205 Middleton Run Road, Elkhart.

Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences to the family.