Maria Carmela Cataldo

Maria Carmela Cataldo, age 96, passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, August 28, 2026 at her home. She was born August 11, 1930, in Gerace, Reggio Calabria, Italy, to Giuseppe and Concetta Lacopo. She married Antonio Cataldo on December 23, 1950, in Gerace, Italy. Her husband came to America in September 1962, and Maria and the children came in October 1966. Antonio passed away on September 25, 2007.

Maria worked alongside her husband in the family business. In 1979, Antonio with his wife and son Bruno, opened Bruno's Pizza in Elkhart. In 1995, with their son Paul, they merged the business into Antonio's Restaurant in Elkhart. Maria was a member of St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting and watching soap operas. Most of all Maria loved to spend time with her family and her many cats.

Maria is survived by her three sons, Giuseppe (Aksana) Cataldo of Elkhart, IN., Bruno (Marisa) Cataldo of Goshen, IN and Paolo (Erin) Cataldo of Goshen, IN ; two daughters, Concetta Sanfilippo of Elkhart, IN and Teresa (Mark) Hartman of Bristol, IN ; 12 grandchildren Yuri, Sasha, Maria, Gabriella, Valentina, Marcella, Alannah, Antonio, Caitlin, Carmela, Gemma, and Gianna; great-grandchildren Lukah, Lorenzo, William, Isabella, Anastasia, Paulo, Ada,, Michael and Leo and her sisters-in-law Sarita Cataldo and Maria (Antonio) Lizzi. Maria was preceded in death by her parents Giuseppe and Concetta Lacopo, infant son Guido, great-granddaughter Natalia and great-grandson Luke.

Visitation will be from 5-8 pm on Monday, August 31, 2026 in Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., where the Rosary will be recited at 7:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1pm on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church, 1108 S. Main St., Elkhart, IN with visitation at the church from 12-1pm . Entombment will be at Chapel of Memories, Rice Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church. Online condolences may be sent to her family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com