John "Jack" Battel

On Thursday, June 25, 2020, our loss of John “Jack” Battel, 87, of Bluffton, SC was Heaven’s gain.

Jack loved his faith, his family and Notre Dame.  He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth, his five children and their spouses--Sharon B. Franklin DVM (John), Cynthia A. Battel DDS (James), John “Jack” J. Battel (Nancy), Christopher F. Battel (Janet), and Kathleen B. Seal (Anthony)--and nine grandchildren, Jordan, Griffin, Owen, David, Brian, Joe, Morgan, Colin and Katie.

Jack was born in Philadelphia, PA, to John F. Battel and Catherine A. (Utkus) Battel.  Jack graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1955 and then received his Master’s in Business Administration in 1961 from New York University.  Jack started his career at International Paper and then moved to the New York Central Railroad as a Marketing Manager and then on to Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, and lastly Southern Railway, later to become Norfolk Southern Railway.

Jack retired from Norfolk Southern, and he and Elizabeth moved to Sun City Hilton Head in 1998.  He was a Knight in the Fourth Degree in the Knights of Columbus at St. Francis by the Sea Parish on Hilton Head Island.

Jack loved Notre Dame and cheered on the Fighting Irish.  He enjoyed keeping all friends and family up-to-date with weekly communications about the various athletic teams.  He embodied the goal of living to Our Lady’s standards and shared his blessings with his family and the community.  Jack’s leadership was exemplary as President and Board member of both the Notre Dame Club of Washington, DC and of Hilton Head.  The University of Notre Dame recognized the Hilton Head Club with numerous awards, including the Chuck Lennon Club and Outstanding Club during Jack’s tenure.  He organized the annual Hesburgh lectures, bringing speakers from Notre Dame to the Club, Parishes, and community.

Jack loved to help others, whether driving them to church or to the store, or assisting them with household projects.  He never met a stranger, greeting and uplifting people wherever he went.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jack’s name to the Scholarship Fund for the Notre Dame Club of Hilton Head, c/o Carey & Company, 70 Main Street, Suite 100, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29926.

May all who knew and loved Jack be covered in the warmth and love of a life worth celebrating.