Ralph J. “Butch” Takach, 78, of South Bend passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. He was born on March 11, 1942 in South Bend to the late Steven C. and Mary A. (Balint) Takach. Ralph was also preceded in death by two brothers Stephen F. Takach, Sr. and Richard C. Takach, and one sister-in-law Gayle Takach. He is survived by one sister-in-law, Nancy Takach of South Bend, two nephews, Stephen (Cindy) Takach, Jr. of Grosse Pointe Woods, MI and Michael (Amy) Takach of South Bend, two nieces, Christine Takach of Niles, MI and Melissa (Sean) Hottois of South Bend, 10 great-nieces and nephews, and 3 great-great-nieces and nephews. Numerous cousins and friends will miss him.

Ralph attended Our Lady of Hungary School and was a graduate of Riley High School. He retired as Facilities Manager in 2007 from the St. Joseph County Public Library after 30 years of service. In his retirement, he worked as a security monitor for the Notre Dame Police Department. He also served as the Head Chef at Mayfair Restaurant in Mishawaka from 1962 until 1975. He was a member of the International Facility Management Association, William Penn Association, and Alcoholics Anonymous for 42 years. He volunteered for the St. Joseph County Public Library and Cairn Terrier Rescue.

Ralph was proud of his years of sobriety and sponsored many individuals through their own sobriety journeys. He cherished his Hungarian heritage and honored that through cooking and baking traditional ethnic dishes.

A visitation will take place from 2:00 until 5:00 pm on Sunday, February 14, 2021 in Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend, IN. A Rosary will be prayed at 2:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Monday, February 15, 2021 at Holy Family Catholic Church. A livestream may be available at www.facebook.com/HolyFamilySouthBend/. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Donations may be made to the St. Joseph County Public Library in memory of Ralph (Attention Business Office, P.O. Box 1440, South Bend, IN 46624). Online condolences may be left at www.kaniewski.com.

02.11.2021 djb