Elaine M. Baumgartner, 87, of South Bend, Indiana, until moving to Mishawaka, Indiana in 2019 and then Fort Wayne, Indiana in May 2021, passed away on Friday, October 15, 2021 in the home of her daughter, Connie Bruner, surrounded by her loving family.

Elaine was born on December 23, 1933 in South Bend, Indiana to the late Frank and Lucille (Marshall) Schneider. Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Chuck” L. Baumgartner Jr.; brother, Frank Schneider Jr.; sister-in-law, Jacqueline Schneider; brother-in-law, Ray Mooney; niece, Peggy Mooney Welter; and great niece Erin Jehl.

On May 16, 1953, as Elaine M. Schneider, she married Charles L. Baumgartner Jr. in St. Matthew Catholic Church in South Bend, IN.  Chuck passed away on March 22, 2021.

Elaine is survived by two daughters, Connie (Dennis) Bruner of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Linda (Peter) Melsa of Niles, Michigan; two sons, Doug (Cindy) Baumgartner of South Bend, Indiana; Phillip (Sue) Baumgartner of Mishawaka, Indiana; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Joan Mooney of Mishawaka, IN; brothers-in-law, Richard Baumgartner of Vandalia, MI and Larry Brafman of Peru, IL; and sisters-in-law, Janet Baumgartner of Grand Rapids, MI and Erma Schneider of Portage, MI.

Elaine was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, where she belonged to the Rosary Society, sang in the choir, and served on the Parish Council.  She was also an active volunteer at St. John the Baptist School for several years and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council #553 Wives for many years.  

After raising her family, she began a career at the South Bend Tribune. She retired in 2015, after 34 years of service as an Ad Inserter.

A Parish Rosary will be prayed for Elaine at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, October 21, 2021, followed by a visitation from 4:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend, Indiana.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 22, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in South Bend.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 3526 St. Johns Way, South Bend, Indiana 46628; Heartland Hospice, 2720 Dupont Commerce Court, Suite 210, Ft. Wayne, IN 46825-2394; or the Hospice Foundation, Supporting Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN  45645.

10.18.2021 djb