Thomas E. Pliske of Chesterton passed away Thursday, June 24, 2010 in Valparaiso. He was 89.

Born August 12, 1920 in Chesterton, he was the son of Walter and Veronica (Demorotski) Pliske, who preceded him in death. On Sept. 25, 1948 in Chicago, he married Dorothy E. Fischer, who preceded him in death in 1986.

He is survived by his son, Paul Pliske of Las Vegas, Nev.; daughter, Joyce (husband Robert) Haas of Chesterton; brother, John Pliske; grandchildren Nicholas (wife Janelle) Haas, Thomas (Erica) Haas and Emily Haas; great granddaughter, Annebell; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his brothers Herman, Walter, Clem, Alex and James Pliske and sisters Laurie Brandt and Eleanor Shooter.

Tom was a lifelong area resident and was a dedicated member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. He was a carpenter and owner of T. Pliske Construction. He joined the Chesterton Fire Department in 1938 and was a charter member of the Chesterton Moose Lodge #1623, a member of the VFW Porter Post 2511 and the American Legion Chesterton Post 170. He was also a lifelong member of the Carpenters Union Local 1485. Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army in October, 1941 and served as Master Sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and the Philippines and was the recipient of two bronze stars. He enjoyed beekeeping and was a devoted family man. He liked to play cards and was one of the original owners of the Chesterton Feed and Garden Store.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 29 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 638 N. Calumet Road, Chesterton, with Rev. Father Lawrence Heeg officiating. Burial will follow at Chesterton Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton, with a wake service at 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Chesterton Volunteer Fire Department, 702 Broadway, Chesterton, IN. www.EE-FH.com

Posted 6/25/2010