Fred Bembenista

Fred Bembenista, 95, of Bloomington, Indiana, passed away on Monday, July 3, 2023 at IU Health Bloomington Hospital. He was born on October 9, 1927 in East Chicago, Indiana, the son of Joseph and Helen (Stronski) Bembenista. Due to the Great Depression, his family returned to their land holdings in Poland when he was a young child. Subsequently, they were caught up in World War II. Fred’s adolescence was spent in slave labor in Nazi Germany, along with his mother, sister, and younger brother. He escaped during the advance of Soviet troops on the Eastern Front and made his way back to Poland, where he undertook the completion of his formal education. Fred was repatriated to the United States as a young man of 20, taking up residence with his eldest brother in Chicago, Illinois. He spent the remainder of his life studying and learning, including numerous technical training courses. Following his marriage to Ann Grabowski in 1950, he settled in Indiana. He worked as an engine lathe operator for Blaw Knox in East Chicago before becoming an electronics technician at Meade Electric in Hammond, Indiana. He later worked at Standard Oil of Indiana’s World Headquarters in Chicago as Chief Engineer for Amoco Television Productions. He finished his engineering career at ABC – WLS TV in Chicago, retiring in 1992. Fred lived in Munster, Indiana for many years. He was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church where he served as usher and was a Knight of Columbus, 4th degree (the highest degree). After relocating to Bloomington in 2020, he joined St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. He was a life member of the Highland Elks. He was an avid golfer, winning multiple Elks Golf League championships, as well as, a highly competitive bridge player and bowler. He enjoyed dancing, traveling, designing and implementing home improvement and other projects, and socializing with friends and family. He was an amazing father, grandfather, great-grandfather, companion and citizen. He had a zest for life and brought great joy to his family and friends. He will be sorely missed by all who loved and knew him. Fred is survived by his beloved Lynda; his children: Thad (Irene) Bembenista of Grand Rapids, MI and Donna (Nick) Panich of Bloomington and The Villages, FL; five grandchildren: Christine (Karl) Lugar, Jennifer (Matt) Alford, Victoria (Simon) Thavaseelan, Michael (Morgan) Panich, and Michelle (Matt) Norby; seven great-grandchildren: Leela and Emit Thavaseelan, Harrison and Eleanor Alford, Silas and Sable Panich, and Jillian Norby. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Helen Bembenista; his wife of 60 years, Ann Grabowski Bembenista; his brothers, Stephen, Edward and Joseph Bembenista; and his sister, Wanda Tomczak. The Funeral Mass, celebrated by The Reverend Thomas Kovatch, will be held at 11:00 AM EDT, Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 2222 E. 3rd Street, Bloomington. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT, Monday, July 10, 2023 at Allen Funeral Home, 4155 S. Old St. Rd. 37, Bloomington. Visitation will also be held at the church on Tuesday in advance of Mass, beginning at 10:00 o’clock. Interment will be on Wednesday, July 12, at noon, CDT at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums, 801 Michigan City Rd., Calumet City, Illinois. Following interment, a memorial gathering will be held at the Highland Elks Lodge, 3120 45th St., Highland, Indiana, beginning at 2:00 PM CDT. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church or St. Vincent DePaul Society. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com

Tributes

Fred Bembenista

October 9, 1927 - July 3, 2023