Ronald George Hosinski, 89, after a long, well-lived life, passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by family members who loved him as much as he loved them.

Ron was born on January 22, 1934 in South Bend to Frederick and Victoria (Jankowski) Hosinski, both of whom preceded him in death. Ron was also preceded in death by his brother, David A. Hosinski of Mishawaka.

On June 22, 1957 in St. Stanislaus Church, Ron married his life-long love, Elizabeth Jean (Betty) Steinbrunner, who survives. He is also survived by his six children, Cheryl (Dean) Dolph of Plymouth, Michael (Karen) Hosinski of Osceola, Andrea Hosinski of South Bend, Carol (Pete) Baker of Niles, MI, Steven (Anita) Hosinski of South Bend, and Dawn Hosinski of South Bend; his nine grandchildren, Jeffrey (Amanda) See, Kristine (Dan) Geans, Brian Hosinski, Sarah and Megan Hosinski, Mary (Josh) Newton, and Drew, Trent, and Delaney Baker; and three great-grandchildren, Kate and Avery See and Eve Geans.

Ron attended St. Stanislaus Grade School and graduated from South Bend Catholic High School in 1952. He unknowingly met his future wife of 66 years when her parents moved from Ohio into a house across the street from his house. She was three years old at the time and he was seven years old!

After completing one year at the University of Notre Dame, Ron was called to military duty where he served with the U.S. Army 822nd Engineering Aviation Battalion in Korea and Guam. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he spent a year at I.U.S.B., and married Betty Steinbrunner, the beautiful girl across the street. They then headed to Ball State University where Ron earned a Master’s Degree. While at Ball State, Ron and Betty also had their first two children. They returned home to South Bend in 1960 where Ron started a 36-year career with the South Bend Community School Corporation – serving at Washington, North Liberty, and LaSalle High Schools as a guidance counselor. He retired in 1996.

Ron’s second, part-time “job”, that spanned an amazing 55 years, also included working with young, energetic students. That “job” consisted of officiating a total of 2,152 varsity high school football and basketball games over a span that included parts of seven decades. He started refereeing in the late 1950’s and retired in 2011 in order to watch his grandsons play varsity football. He officiated what was a record 32 basketball sectionals, a slew of regionals, semi-states, and state championship games in football and/or basketball. As he got older and less fleet of foot, he refereed an additional 2, 088 junior high and freshman level games just because “it was a fun way to exercise and be involved”.

Ron was truly a dedicated family man who, along with Betty, believed that if a child was involved with a school academic or extracurricular event, it was their duty to attend. With six children involved in track, football, volleyball, basketball, tennis, or baseball, they attended hundreds of events. They then repeated this dedication years later in life when their grandchildren participated. Schools all over Indiana and Michigan stayed afloat financially because of the admission fees paid by Ron and Betty to support and cheer for their children and grandchildren.

Ron’s love of his family, his church, and his country were just a few of the many traits that made him such a wonderful, special person. His dedication to his wife of 66 years and to his children and grandchildren, was remarkable and unwavering. His devotion and commitment to his church and church sponsored charities never wavered. Although we grieve for the loss of a loving, caring husband and father, we also rejoice that because of his faith in Almighty God, we shall one day be reunited.

The Hosinski family would like to thank all the fabulous nurses from the Center for Hospice Care who so compassionately cared for our father. In addition, a huge thank you to the emergency room nurses and all the doctors at the Saint Joseph Medical Center in Mishawaka, as well as the nurses on floor three, and later, those on floor six. Your caring and compassion were greatly appreciated and helps to prove that “On the eighth day, God created nurses.” Thank You.

A Funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 1:30pm at St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S Mayflower Rd, South Bend. Friends may visit with the family for two hours prior to the service. Entombment and military honors will take place immediately following at St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ron’s memory to Saint Joseph County Right to Life, 2004 Ironwood Circle, Suite 130, South Bend, IN 46635.

11/06/2023 djb