Theodore John Izak

ELKHART - Theodore John Izak, 89, of Elkhart, Indiana left this earth peacefully to be with our Lord in Heaven on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, surrounded by the love of his wife and children at Elkhart Center for Hospice Care. He was born August 28, 1928 in Gary, IN to Michael and Mary (Sopko) Izak. Theodore grew up in Gary where he graduated from Froebel High School. He married the love of his life, Lucille Joanne Zale September 5, 1949 at St Mark‘s Roman Catholic Church in Gary, In. Prior to starting his family, Theodore served in the Indiana National Guard. He then joined the Gary Fire Department and worked at Fire Station #8 until he lost a leg fighting the Jackson Restaurant fire in 1956. After his rehabilitation he attended Indiana University where he received his Associate Degree in Business. He then went on to further his education by attending Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois where he received his Bachelor Degree and MBA. Following his schooling, he went on to work at Inland Steel as an accountant. He further advanced his employment by going to work for the Federal Government as an Internal Revenue Agent. In 1969, after a promotion with the IRS, he relocated his family to Elkhart, where he continued his employment until his retirement in 1996 after 33 yrs. of service. Theodore had been a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus and was also a member of the Gary Silver Bell Club. He was a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Elkhart. His hobbies included gardening, photography, oil painting, sketching of landscapes, street scenes, cartooning and caricatures. He was also an avid pool player and enjoyed a good game of snooker and shuffleboard. Ted enjoyed the music of the Big Band Era, and rooted for his favorite teams, the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Elizabeth (John) Kovczun, Mary Izak, Anne (Michael) Yaselsky; his baby brother, Michael; niece Carole (Larry) Rowe, and granddaughter, Jaime L. (Steve) Chesney. Ted is survived by his loving wife of 68 yrs. Lucille J. Izak; daughter, Karen M. Izak; sons, Laurence J. Izak, Michael J. Izak, Robert B. (Lisa) Izak, Kenneth G. (Libby) Izak and David F. Izak, all of Elkhart, Theodore M. Izak, Smyrna, GA, Joseph A. Izak (Vincent Martinez) New Orleans, LA; niece, Sandra (Rodney) Harmsworth, Dove Canyon, CA; 12 grandchildren, Lesley M. Perkins, Elkhart, Rachel A. (Kirk) Bauer, Smyrna, GA, Jennifer L. (Jacques) Gallegos, Alpharetta, GA, Suzanne R. (Ken) Shinabarger, Elkhart, Melinda J. (Dan) Watson, Niles, MI, Jessica E. (Joey) Lehman, South Bend, Steven L. Izak, Berrien Springs, MI, Philip T. (Mandy) Izak, Ft. Wayne, Michael P. (Elena) Izak, Keller, TX, Matthew R. Izak, Elkhart, Benjamin K. (Marilyn) Izak, Elkhart, Joshua T. Izak, Elkhart, and 14 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home 700 E. Jackson Boulevard, Elkhart on Monday Jan. 22, 2018 from 4pm - 7pm. A Rosary service will be held at 6:30pm at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday Jan 23, 2018 at 10 a.m. with a 1 hour viewing prior to mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1405 N. Main St. Elkhart with Father Jason Freiburger officiating. Interment will follow at 12:15 CST at Calumet Park Cemetery 2305 W. 73rdAve. Merrillville, In. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Theodore John Izak please visit our Sympathy Store.

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