In Memory
Jeanette Clara (Jerzakowski) O’Brien
February 9, 1926 ~ August 28, 2026
Jeanette Clara (Jerzakowski) O'Brien, 100, of Walkerton, formerly of South Bend, passed away Friday, August 28, 2026.
Jeanette is survived by her sons, Joseph O'Brien of Meadville, PA, and Mark (Patti) O'Brien of Walkerton, IN; four grandchildren, Kim (Ron) Scalise of Port St. Lucie, FL, Nicole (Luke) Simon of Chattanooga, TN, Kelli (Josh) Salyer of Plymouth, IN, and Kaysi (Kels) O'Brien of Bluffton, SC; eight great-grandchildren, Jacob Scalise, Jonathan Scalise, Colt Simon, Cash Simon, Ellie Simon, Evangeline Simon, Franki Salyer, and Murphi Salyer; and her special niece, Tamara Stockman of Niles, MI.
Jeanette was born in South Bend on February 9, 1926, to Kazimier and Helen (Ozdych) Jerzakowski. She grew up in St. Matthew Parish and graduated from Riley High School, a proud Wildcat. Jeanette came from a large family of nine children: Lucille, Henrietta, Pauline, Chester, Edward, Florence, Mary Louise, and Casey, who all preceded her in death.
Jeanette married the late Richard Quinn O'Brien in South Bend on April 24, 1954. He preceded her in death in 1976.
Jeanette was employed by the South Bend Tribune as a switchboard operator, where she returned after working several years in Ada at the Grand Rapids Press. Later, she was employed by Liberty Mutual Insurance, South Bend Toy, and lastly, Memorial Hospital, working in the mail room, where she retired in 1992.
Jeanette was a long-time parishioner of Holy Family Parish in South Bend and later at St. Patrick Church in Walkerton when she moved there in 2000. She was a person of strong faith, which helped her navigate her long life.
Jeanette was a kind and caring person who helped others in need, working at soup kitchens and food pantries. She was known for her humor and quick wit and will be missed by many.
Jeanette loved her family, her flower gardens, and rooting for the Fighting Irish. One of her lessons was, "There is no such words as 'I can't'" and she lived by that, proving it time and time again throughout her life.
Her family would like to thank the caring staff at Miller's Merry Manor in Walkerton, who are all angels and treated her well.
Services will be held at St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Rd., South Bend, Indiana. Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a rosary at 7 p.m., and on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 10 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. After she is laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery, a luncheon for family and friends will be held.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Walkerton Food Pantry, 625 Roosevelt Rd., Walkerton, IN 46574.
Obituary published on Legacy.com by St. Joseph Funeral Homes - Mayflower Chapel - South Bend on Sep. 1, 2026.
09/02/2026 djb
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