Monthly Archives: March 2013

Wallace A. Brezik of Hobart, IN, August 28, 1922 – March 23, 2013

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WALLACE A. BREZIK

 

Wallace A. Brezik, decorated WWII veteran, passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2013.  He was 90 years old.  Born on August 28, 1922 in Houston, Texas, he was the son of Joseph F. Brezik and Frances Steffek Brezik, the youngest of nine children and the last surviving member of his family. 

 

He was a member of Company B, 82nd and 3051st Engineer Combat Battalions attaining the rank of sergeant.  He earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Service Arrowhead, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and 4 Overseas Service Bars.  He landed on Utah Beach during the D-Day Invasion at Normandy and fought at the Battle of the Bulge and many other notable campaigns.  He was stationed in North Africa, Belgium, England, Germany, Holland, Italy and France.

 

Wally married Gisela Helbig from Aachen, Germany on July 2, 1948 in Rochester, New York.  Gisela passed away on February 3, 2001, and Wally never quite recovered from that loss.

 

Wally graduated from the University of Toronto with an undergraduate degree and obtained his Master’s Degree in Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame.  He was an avid Notre Dame fan his entire life.

 

Wally worked as a casualty claims insurance adjuster in the Chicago area for many years.  He and Gisela successfully owned and operated the Lorelei Restaurant and Tavern in Glen Park and the Ban Dor Motor Inn in Marion, Illinois.  In his later years, he worked as the Zoning Administrator for Lake County, Indiana until he retired at age 82.

 

He is survived by his six children: John from Hobart; Chris (Connie) from Casper, Wyoming; Mary Brezik-Fisher (David) from Ranchester, Wyoming; Janice Sendak (Michael) from Sparks, Maryland; Ron (Karen) from Beech Grove, Indiana; and David (Denise) from Mountainside, New Jersey.  He is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Danny and Sarah Brezik; Courtney and Mekayla Sendak; and Luke, Mary and Alex Brezik.

 

Wally was a member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church and American Legion Post 54 of Hobart. 

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Andrean Foundation, Inc. and the Indiana C.O.P.S.

 

Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at the Burns Funeral Home. Rev. Dominick Bertino officiating. Services will terminate at the funeral home.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Philip G. Gikas of Crown Point, IN , July 20, 1921 – March 20, 2013

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Philip G. Gikas, age 91, of Crown Point (LOFS), formerly of Glen Park, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, with his daughter by his side. Phil was a member of Faith Fellowship Church in Hebron.  He was vice president and part owner of United and Peacock Cleaners in Gary, a family owned business for nearly 50 years.  Phil was a veteran of the U. S. Navy-WWII.  He was stationed in Pearl Harbor as a Gunner’s Mate on the U.S.S. St. Louis “Lucky Lou”.  Phil remained on the unsinkable ship until the end of WW II and was a combat decorated veteran, having been awarded the Purple Heart. He was a member and Past Commander of American Legion, Glen Park Post No. 214, and a member of American Legion Crown Point Post 20. He was a member & past Chef de Guar of Voiture 470 Du Indiana (40/8).  He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Lulu “Veda” Gikas, his son, George Gikas, his father, George Gikas, step-mother, Mary Gikas and brothers, Nick and Chris Gikas, sisters, Helen LeFarge and Christine Watson, sister-in-law, Eleanor Zervos and brother-in-law, Jerry Janda.

He is survived by 2 sons, Theodore Gikas of Sarasota, FL & Rick (Rhonda) Gikas of Valparaiso, IN; daughter, Phyllis (Scott) Aubrey of LOFS; daughter-in-law, Marlene Gikas of Crown Point.6 grandchildren, Jason (Christy) Gikas, Kristen, Christine, & Nicole Gikas and Alexandra & Quentin Aubrey; 3 great grandchildren, Christopher, Tommy & Jacob Gikas; sister-in-law, Frieda Janda of Crown Point, IN, and brother-in-law, George Zervos and many nieces and nephews.

 Funeral service will be at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, IN at 10:00 am Thursday 3/28/2013. Interment Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.   Friends may visit with Philip’s family on Weds. 3/27/2013 from 2:00-8:00 pm.

 

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.