Julian A. Baldizon Obituary – South Bend Tribune

Julian A. Baldizon has been received into the arms of angels. He passed away at the Cleveland Clinic ICU on August 29. He was 60. May we wipe away our tears and remember to be steadfast in our belief that we will be reunited with him in heaven. A celebration of life will be held on September 17, from 10:00-12:00 at the Salvation Army Kroc Chapel, 900 W. Western Ave., South Bend, IN 46601. Masks and donations of nonperishable foods are encouraged.

The son of Carlos Baldizon and Marta Baldizon, Julian Alberto Baldizon was born in Guatemala where he received his education. He shared many stories of the perfect, tropical weather and being wrapped in the warmth of his loving and supportive family. At 16 he traveled to the US, to study and become bilingual, and he intended to return. Instead he stayed in the US, eventually becoming a citizen. He graduated from High School in California. At 18 he married his first wife Marcia, and he adopted her precious daughter, 5-year-old Michelle. Eventually the small family expanded and Julian and Marcia excitedly welcomed their beloved daughter, Julie Ann and cherished son, Jonathan. Julian worked at J. J. Newberry Department Store, Los Angeles, where his supervisors quickly recognized his flair for business management and sales, and at 20 he became the youngest manager of several stores, breaking sales records. He furthered his education with business administration and accounting classes. During these years, Julian continued to sharpen his business acumen, eventually embracing a 26 year career in the uniform business in South Bend where he whole-heartedly worked to become a team partner for his co-workers and customers, whose trust he valued very much.

In 2017, after many years of caring for Marcia, prior to her death in 2016, their children and grandchildren, Julian devoted time for himself. In search of a supportive community and renewed wellness, Julian took on the challenge of losing nearly 100 pounds at the Salvation Army Kroc Center. On this health journey, his certified trainer and brother-in-spirit Rob Hughes guided him to an outstanding fitness level. At the Kroc, Julian found renewed joy in life, often repeating that this community had saved his life by restoring his health and sense of well being. He was deeply grateful and wanted to share that feeling with everyone. With new strength and health, boundless energy and happiness, he got to work enjoying this bright phase of his life. He embarked on adventures with his new best friend and partner Ellen. Together they enjoyed running, sprint triathlons, landscape drawing and stained glass classes, volunteering, their get-away at the Yogi campground, many great friendships, and traveling. Ellen and Julian married in 2020.

Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Marcia and sister Carlana Baldizon de Trujillo. Left to cherish his memory are devoted, caring wife Ellen, daughters Michelle Walding (Dwayne), Julie Ann Casto (Jerry), son Jonathan, sister Carla Morales (Eduardo), brother Carlos Baldizon, step-children Vincent and Lilly Sipocz, grandchildren Christopher, Ashlynn, Sarah Jean, Julian and Kayla Walding, Rayna Vasquez, great-grandchildren Marcie and Amara Walding, many nieces and nephews and extended family members in the US, Central America, and Canada, as well as countless friends at the Salvation Army Kroc Center and elsewhere.