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In Memory

Chad Edward Hudnall - Class Of 1994 VIEW PROFILE

Chad Edward Hudnall

CHAD E. HUDNALL

Nov. 22, 1975 - Oct. 31, 2013
SOUTH BEND - Chad E. Hudnall, 37, of South Bend, passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2013 at Memorial Hospital, after a long and grueling battle with cancer. He was born on November 22, 1975 in Mansfield, OH to Ira and Louise (Rhiendel) Hudnall.

On July 28, 2001, Chad made the best decision of his life, and married Catherine Arce. Cathy became the rock on which the foundation of their marriage would rest, and together they created four spectacular children: Colton, the twins - Carter and Dylan, and Lainey. Chad is survived by his wife, Catherine; sons, Colton, Carter, and Dylan; and daughter, Lainey; all of South Bend; his father, Ira (Wanda) Hudnall of Crestline, OH; brothers, David (Julie) Hudnall of South Bend, Donald (Michelle) Hudnall of South Bend, and John (Laure) Hudnall of Granger; numerous nieces and nephews; Cathy's parents, Carlos and Monica Arce; and her brothers, Chris Savoie and Jamie Arce (Yuli).

Chad was preceded in death by his mother, Louise Hudnall; sister, Barbara Bates; and nephews, Timothy and Dean Hudnall.

Chad taught math at Clay High School, where he also served as varsity baseball head coach, leading the Colonials to the Sectional Championship in 2013. He also served for years as head junior varsity and assistant varsity boys' basketball coach. Chad attended Ball State and then Bethel College for two years, where he played baseball. He finished his Bachelor's degree from Indiana University - South Bend, where he played basketball. From an early age, it was clear Chad was destined for something special. He had always been gifted, and this was first displayed on the runway as he became a child model, reaching his modeling zenith when he landed an underwear ad in a local newspaper.

Chad soon transitioned to one of his true loves, sports, and traded his tighty-whities for a jock strap. He went on to play baseball and basketball for Clay High School, and ended up being one of the most accomplished athletes in the school's history. Chad still appears in the baseball record books in numerous categories, but it was his efforts on the hard court that will forever entrench him as Colonial royalty. Chad was a member of the 1994 Clay basketball team that beat Valparaiso in the Hoosier Dome to win the State Championship. The entire Clay cheering section began yelling for the Valpo crowd to "Come on Back" as they had prepared to storm the court before the Colonials sent the game into overtime in an unbelievable series of events. It was Chad's "three" that started the scoring in OT, and in an interview afterwards, he mentioned that his mother Louise was in the stadium, sitting in the 32nd row, helping that shot go in. That was only the beginning of the impact Chad would have at Clay.

He spent over a decade there as a teacher, coach, mentor, beloved co-worker, and inspirational role model - who was dedicated to the importance of educating young people - both in and out of the classroom. Chad always took the time to work out an extra math problem or pitch one more round of BP, regardless if it was a struggling student or a star athlete. Chad loved fishing at Potato Creek - Playing Jenga, Monopoly, Connect Four, and Putt-Putt with his kids - Believing in his players, no matter the circumstance - Derb - Lighting people up in Gus Macker - Always putting the needs of others before the needs of himself - Playing baseball - Going for late-night drives so he could have a chew and delude himself into thinking he was sneaking it past Cathy, which clearly never worked - Asking "Who sings this?" when a song would come on the radio - Knowing the importance of role players - Playing old school video games - Doing anything for anyone - Knowing he was the best shooter, simply by entering the gym - Watching his kids play ball, even when it meant sitting on a bucket. Like any great coach, you're only as good as the talent around you, and Chad was surrounded by an abundance of all-stars. His siblings, nieces and nephews, co-workers, and friends worked tirelessly to assist Team Hudnall in any way possible. They were simply paying him back for all the times he had been there for them: holding the family together after the passing of his mother Louise, and then being the steadying presence when tragedy struck with Barbie, Timmer, and Dean.

A very heartfelt thank you needs to go out to Paula Abraham, who was simply amazing through everything. Chad loved his family and friends above all else, and this is best shown through his relationship with Cathy and the kids. While sports played a huge role in his life, Chad never had a better teammate than Cathy. She was Chad's equal in every way, and it was her warrior spirit that got them through some unbelievably difficult times. She held their family together through sheer force of will, and it was Chad's confidence in Cathy that finally allowed him to give up his fight.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 3, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, at the Palmer Funeral Home-Hickey Chapel, on 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Monday, November 4, 2013, also at the Palmer Funeral Home-Hickey Chapel, with Pastor Paul Murray officiating. Graveside services, and burial, will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Chad may be donated to the Hudnall Family Benefit Fund at any 1st Source Bank. Online condolences may be left for the Hudnall family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Like Chad always preached to his students and players, he kept working and fighting until the very end, refusing to give up, and doing so with remarkable dignity, grace, and class. Chad's sense of humor and commitment to always seeing the best in people will be greatly missed. We wish we could say: "Come on Back", and you would rejoin us one more time - but we know that you've already taken your seat in the 32nd Row, waiting for the day you can help your kids the way Louise helped you. The 3 is up - and it's good.

Published by South Bend Tribune from Nov. 2 to Nov. 3, 2013

10/15/2022 EJS



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