Joseph Francis Leyes, whom we all knew as Joe, passed away on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at Morningview Assisted Living in South Bend, IN. He was born May 16, 1946 in South Bend to Mary Patricia and James Patrick Leyes who predeceased him. Joe is survived by his beloved four sisters: Virginia (Ginny) Toal of Glen Arbor, MI; Barbara (Barb) Sorensen of Granger, IN; Mary Patricia (Mary Pat) Nussbaum of South Bend, IN; and Julie Richter of Los Angeles, CA.
Joe’s sisters deeply loved their only brother and will miss his gentle nature and kind smile. Joe spent most of his life in South Bend and made lifelong friends at St. Joseph Grade School and St. Joseph High School including Joe Crowley, Pat Barth, Dan Jones, and Joe Kernan. He particularly enjoyed being with family at home, the lake in Michigan where he learned to fish, and trips back East and to Florida.
He attended St. Leo University in St. Leo, FL, and Indiana University. Joe developed a great interest in music and was blessed with artistic talent. Impressionistic paintings and painters were of particular interest to him.
Joe has a special love for each of his nephews and nieces: Chris Toal, Laurie Funk, Jenny Ros, Kristie Alter, Jeff Sorensen, and Matt, Danny and Kathryn Nussbaum. He also immensely enjoyed stories about his 20 grand-nephews and grand-nieces. Joe especially looked forward to his visits to Kristie’s house in Mishawaka to watch movies and eat spaghetti.
Joe faced many challenges during his life but showed great courage and dignity as he dealt with them. His family as well as the staff at Portage Manor and Morningview Assisted Living did their best to support him. The family would also like to thank REAL Services for their guidance and assistance in helping us help Joe.
All of these organizations and the people who make them up are wonderful community assets. His sisters would be independently wealthy if they had a nickel for every time anyone who encountered Joe in whatever capacity and spent any time at all with him said: “I just love your brother; he is such a sweet and kind person”. Joe has earned his eternal reward in heaven and is certainly at peace with his mom, dad, and the rest of his family who were there to greet him.
Private family services are being planned. Palmer Funeral Homes—Hickey Chapel and Southlawn Cremation Services are assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a contribution in Joe’s name to REAL Services, Inc., Attn: Becky Zaseck, P.O. Box 1835, South Bend, IN 46634.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.
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