Steven Olenjniczak Obituary

LAGRANGE - Steven Craig Olejniczak, 77 years old, passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Steve was born on May 10, 1947, in New Haven, Connecticut, son of the late Raymond and Margaret (Leakens) Olejniczak.

Steve is also preceded in death by his sister, Joann Newgent; brother-in-law, Joseph Newgent Sr.; and a niece, Tina Jiles.

Steve is survived by a nephew, Joseph Newgent Jr.; and many friends and co-workers at The Arc of LaGrange.

Steve lived his life to the fullest, despite experiencing many hardships from an early age.

He worked at The Arc of LaGrange County, McDonalds and Pizza Hut in LaGrange, and Pizza Hut in Sturgis, Michigan. He was always willing to go above and beyond at work and helped out wherever he was needed.

Steve also attended First United Methodist Church in LaGrange.

He loved to go on walks uptown in LaGrange for a cup of coffee, go on outings to Ben's Pretzels and to get ice cream during the summer, attending old car shows, and watching his favorite Western movies and TV shows - especially Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley and Home Improvement. He enjoyed playing bingo at LaGrange County Council on Aging, UNO, Trouble, and the matching game.

He was also very close with Sue Hankinson from The Arc. He was a beautiful soul and will be greatly missed.

Friends and family will be received on Thursday, March 27, 2025, from 10:30-11 a.m., with a funeral service starting at 11 a.m., all at St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend, IN 46619.

Burial will immediately follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Donations in honor of Steven Craig Olejniczak may be made out to The Arc of LaGrange County, 0235 W. C.R. 300N, Howe, IN 46746.

Online condolences can be made at sjfh.net.