Regina Marie Piechocki, 75, of Elkhart, Indiana, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, compassion, generosity, and unconditional love that will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Born on September 10, 1950, in South Bend, Indiana, Regina was the cherished daughter of Paul and Betty (Merriman) Hertel. She lived a beautiful life centered on family, friendship, faith in God, and caring for others with every ounce of her heart.

To know Regina was to know warmth. She had a way of making people feel safe, comforted, and understood. She listened with her whole heart, loved without conditions, and gave endlessly of herself even when she had little to give. She was the person people called during life’s hardest moments because they knew she would answer, no matter the time, no matter the circumstance. Through heartbreak, uncertainty, grief, or struggle, Regina was the calm voice on the other end of the line reminding her loved ones to “trust God’s plan” and “give your worries to God.” Her faith never wavered, even during difficult seasons of her own life. She believed deeply that God would always provide if you remained faithful, compassionate, and willing to serve others before yourself.

Regina lived her life in service to people. She spent much of her career working as an insurance public adjuster, helping families rebuild after devastating house fires. She was drawn to work where she could make a difference during moments of crisis, and she approached every family she helped not as clients, but as people who needed compassion, understanding, and hope. She fought for families when they felt overwhelmed and lost, and many found comfort simply in her presence. She had a remarkable ability to calm fear and reassure people that everything would somehow work out.

Later in life, Regina worked as a bartender and server at the local American Legion, where her joyful spirit and magnetic personality made her unforgettable. She loved people, loved conversation, and loved making others smile. Whether she was laughing with customers, sharing stories with friends, or checking on someone having a rough day, she made everyone feel welcomed and valued. Her laughter was contagious, her smile comforting, and her sense of humor could brighten even the darkest day.

At her core, Regina was an entertainer and a dreamer. Music was one of the great loves of her life. She always dreamed of becoming a singer and proudly fulfilled that dream by recording her own album, something that brought her tremendous joy and pride. She loved to sing around the house, in the car, during family gatherings, or anytime a favorite song came on. Her favorite song, “Over the Rainbow,” perfectly reflected her heart: hopeful, gentle, sentimental, and full of wonder. Music gave Regina peace, and she shared that peace with everyone around her.

Regina believed life was meant to be enjoyed, and she found happiness in the simplest, most meaningful moments. She loved gathering with family and friends, playing Euchre around the kitchen table, cheering passionately for Notre Dame football, and spending long afternoons laughing until everyone’s sides hurt. She had a playful spirit and a gift for turning ordinary days into cherished memories.

Nothing brought Regina greater joy than her family. She loved fiercely and completely. Her children and grandchildren were the center of her world, and she dedicated her life to making sure they always felt loved, supported, and cared for. She was proud of each of them beyond words and found immense happiness in watching her family grow.

Some of her family’s most treasured memories were created during summers at the beach, Regina’s true happy place. Every Sunday during the summer, she packed up a cooler, gathered everyone together, and spent the entire day by the water. She loved everything about the beach: the warmth of the sun, the sound of crashing waves, the feeling of sand between her toes, and the peace she found staring out across the water. She played in the waves with her children, searched for seashells, and created memories that her family will hold close forever. The beach was where Regina felt most free, most joyful, and most at peace.

She also found beauty in quiet moments at home. Regina loved gardening and planting flowers, carefully tending to them with patience and love. She enjoyed sitting outside surrounded by nature, watching birds flutter through the yard and appreciating the small gifts God placed in everyday life. Her home was filled with warmth, comfort, and love because she made it that way.

Christmas held a special place in Regina’s heart. For her family, Christmas Eve at Mom’s house was more than a tradition, it was a feeling. It was warmth, laughter, togetherness, and love wrapped into one unforgettable evening. No matter how difficult life became financially, Regina always found a way to create magic for her family. She believed every person deserved to feel special, and she spent countless hours searching for “the” perfect gift for each loved one, something meaningful that showed how deeply she knew and cared for them. Her generosity knew no limits. She gave not because she had abundance, but because loving others brought her joy.

Regina enjoyed the comfort of wholesome and heartwarming entertainment that reflected her values and gentle spirit. She loved watching classic westerns like Bonanza and Gunsmoke, as well as beloved family shows like Little House on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven. Her favorite movie, Ice Age, never failed to make her smile and laugh.

Her compassion extended beyond her immediate family and friends. Regina gave faithfully and passionately to causes she believed in, including Maryknoll, In Touch Ministries, and Appalachian Christian Project. Helping others and serving God were not simply things she believed in, they were the foundation of how she lived every day of her life.

Regina would want to be remembered as someone who listened, someone who cared deeply, and someone who would always be there to help others through life’s challenges. She spent her life carrying burdens for the people she loved, often putting others before herself without ever asking for recognition or praise. She gave comfort when others were hurting, encouragement when people felt defeated, and hope when life felt overwhelming.

Her family finds comfort knowing she is now resting peacefully in Heaven, reunited with loved ones gone before her and finally receiving the peace and joy she so richly deserved. Though their hearts ache in her absence, they are endlessly grateful for the love she gave so freely throughout her life. Regina did more than enough for everyone she loved. She gave her family strength, guidance, laughter, faith, and memories that will live on forever.

The world feels quieter without her laughter, dimmer without her smile, and emptier without her comforting presence. But the lessons she taught, the faith she instilled, and the love she poured into others will continue to guide her family for generations to come.

Regina was preceded in death by her beloved father, Paul Hertel; her brothers, Mike Hertel and Mark Hertel; and her sister, Maria Hamilton.

She is survived by her loving mother, Betty Hertel; her sister, Donna Walters; her brothers, Paul Hertel and John Hertel; her children, Paul Hertel of Louisiana, Michelle Semak of Elkhart, and Jeannie Hawkins (Piechocki) of Osceola; and her cherished grandchildren, Hailey Bunge, Katherine Hawkins, and Jonah Hawkins. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, extended family members, dear friends, and countless people whose lives were touched by her kindness and love.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, with a celebration of life immediately following.

Memorial contributions may be made to In Touch Ministries, P.O. Box 7900, Atlanta, GA 30357.

The family invites friends and loved ones to share memories and messages of comfort at Chapelhillmemorial.com