Tad M. Chemelewski Jr.

Tad M. Chemelewski Jr., 79, passed away Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, IN. Tad was born August 24, 1941 in Peru, IL, to the late Tad and Cecilia Chemelewski. Tad graduated from LaSalle Peru Township High School and furthered his education at Indiana Tech studying mechanical engineering. He put that knowledge to use as an Engineer with Dana Corporation. For 28 years, Tad worked for Dana Corporation’s Spicer Heavy Axle Division in Fort Wayne and later in Kalamazoo, Michigan. While working for Dana, he was awarded patents for various testing methods. Tad also worked at Pennsylvania Railroad, Kunkle Valve and Essex. A devout Catholic, Tad was most recently a member of Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, Fort Wayne. Earlier in life, he was a longtime member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church. While in Kalamazoo, Tad was a member of St. Monica. Throughout his life, Tad loved bowling, golfing, fishing, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Tad and Judy have traveled to 47 states! Tad knew no strangers and was always helping others. The nursing staff at Parkview quickly picked up on Tad’s boisterous personality and quirky sense of humor. He was quick to make a friend and lit up a room simply by being in it. He enjoyed tinkering and was known for his ability to make almost anything work! As a life-long Cubs fan, he enjoyed attending games with his son, John. He spent years rooting for a World Series win and was overjoyed to see the Cubs become the 2016 World Series Champs! And he also really enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Judy Chemelewski of Fort Wayne, IN; daughter Cindy (Mike) Rude, son John (Pam) Chemelewski, grandchildren, Brianna, Sean (Chris), Kali, Scott, great grandchildren, Kyli, Connor, Colin, brothers David (Mary Kay) Chemelewski, Ken (Joyce) Chemelewski and Gary (Nancy) Chemelewski. Private Mass of Christian Burial will held at 11 am Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church. Please join the family virtually for the mass at https://vimeo.com/482301710 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National M.S. Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana. Arrangements by D.O. McComb and Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home (1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne). To sign the online guestbook go to www.mccombandsons.com