Elvira (Chillik) Kajzer

Feb. 1, 1921 – Nov. 7, 2004

Elvira Kajzer, 83, of South Bend, Ind., died after a short illness on Sunday, Nov.7, in Hospice House. She was preceded in death by her parents, Balasz and Suzanna (Miklosi) Csillik.Her three sisters, Ella Chillik, Irene Vaughn and Violet Klingerman, also preceded her in death. Elvira retired from A&P after 25 years. Working at many of their locations, she was affectionately known as “Elvis." She also worked at Brant’s 5&10 on Miami Street for 23 years until its closing.She then worked for the Apostolic Temple Retirement Village on Inwood Road.

Over the years, Elvira was a tireless volunteer for various organizations including 20 years at St.Joseph Hospital of Mishawaka, Ind., the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. She worked voter polls every election for 55 years, every year at Riley High School, her alma mater.She was very involved in the Riley High School class reunions also.She became an active supporter of the Riley Boys and Girls swim teams which her grandchildren were members of the third generation of her family to attend Riley. For over 80 years, Elvira was a very active member of Memorial Presbyterian Church on Portage Avenue.She was an avid Notre Dame football fan and flew the ND flag proudly along with IU and Purdue, the schools of her grandchildren. Before walking distances became hard for her, she loved to take bus trips to different des- tinations.She especially enjoyed Mystery Tours and all would get to hear about it afterwards.

One time she was able to attend the Oak Ridge Boys concert where they sang to her in the form of their hit song “Elvira.”She enriched the lives of many of her friends not able to drive by providing transportation to the grocery store and other errands to the very end. In her late years, Elvira was able to fulfill a lifelong dream to play music, an ability she insisted her children acquire as youngsters.She purchased an organ, took lessons, and loved to play.Elvira took extreme pride in caring for her home.Her yard was very well cared for with a beautiful array of flowers, and her bird feeders always full. Her family, though, was the thing she took the most pride in. Her children, their spouses, and grandchildren were the focus of her life.

Elvira is survived by three children, Trudy (Ralph) Hernicz of Elk Grove Village, Ill., Larry (Karen) Kajzer of South Bend and Terry (Luana) Kajzer of South Bend. She is also survived by her grandchildren, John Hernicz of Barlett, Ill., Kristina Menhert of Sarasota, Fla., Brian Kajzer of South Bend, Ryan Kajzer of Indianapolis, Ind., Ben Kajzer of Mishawaka, Ind., and Jacque Kajzer of Fishers, Ind.

There will be no visitation. Arrangements are being handled by the St.Joseph Funeral Home on Ireland Road. Contributions in Elvira’s memory may be made to Memorial Presbyterian Church on Portage Avenue, to Hospice of St. Joseph County, or to the American Cancer Society. There will be a memorial service in the Memorial Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Dec.5, at 10 a.m.during regular services.A reception dinner will immediately follow services in the church

Sources: Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com

12/25/2024 EJS