Sylvester Fultz

Sylvester Fultz, 71 residing in South Bend, Indiana was called to his eternal rest October 17, 2019.  He was born December 10, 1947 to the union of Essy Hill and Louise Fultz.  Sylvester was the oldest of 10 children.  He was considered the big brother to everyone in the family and was well loved, admired and esteemed by the entire family, including cousins, nieces, Aunts and Uncles.

Sylvester grew up in South Bend, Indiana with his family where he attended Oliver school and graduated from Riley High school.  After high school, he went on to serve in the United States Armed Services, in the Branch of Army.  Sylvester fought in the Vietnam War and was proud to be a called a Veteran. He told many stories of his time in Army and attending Jump School in Georgia.  He served in the Airborne division of the Military, jumping from airplanes into war zones in Vietnam.

Sylvester had a passion for cooking beginning when he was very young.  He could make anything from scratch.  He told many stories of when he was young and his grandmother would sit him on the table and have him help her cook.  One of his favorite dishes he loved to cook and eat was cornbread.  He also learned his cooking skills from his mother, Louise Fultz and his aunts, Lucille Burnley and Christine Howard.

His passion for cooking soon began to stir the entrepreneurial spirit he had and he began to sell barbeque on street corners from a homemade grill he made out of a 55 gallon drum.  His food was so good the word spread and he began to have a successful business.  He could be found most days selling his barbeque at the Aldi’s parking lot when it was on the corner of Bendix and Lincoln Way West.  That led to him having a successful run opening his barbeque business in a building on South Michigan Street with his son Jeff .

Sylvester loved the country and at one time lived in Berrien Springs, MI.  That is where he met and fell in love with the woman he would make his wife, Jonelle Castleberry. They made their home in Berrien Springs for a while with his stepson Jeff Hopkins but soon moved to South Bend.  They were married for 16 years.  Sylvester loved Jeff and spent countless hours working with him and teaching him life skills.

Preceded in death was Sylvester’s father, Essy Hill, sister, Linda Kay Jones, brother, Larry Fultz and niece, Brittany Ann Clay. He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Louise Fultz, siblings; Herman (Florida) Hudson, Alfred Fultz, Carol (Pete Slade), Venita Fultz, Louella Gary, Wannetta (Melvin Reid), Edwin Fultz.  His children, Dr. Michael K. Blanchard & .(Tamara D Rose) of Miami, FL, Bernadette Lark Nelson, Cypress, CA, Eli Marion, Lafayette, IN and stepson Jeff Hopkins, South Bend, IN.  Grandchildren, Imani, Nia& Maya Blanchard and Alexis Dunn.

Sylvester had many nicknames that friends and family lovingly called him. Sal, Sly, Fat Daddy are some that have stuck with him.  He was a loving man and will be greatly missed by all. His memory will live on with everyone he has come in contact with. He leaves a host of loving host of nieces,nephews,cousins,friends and extended family to cherish his memories.  
Thank you everyone that helped him along the way and loved him as much as his family did.

djb 10.23.2019