Chesterton resident John Brickler, 86, died Thursday, April 15, 2010, at the
VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso.
He was born Oct. 25, 1923, in Danielsville, Pa., the son of Lewis and Rose
Brickler, who preceded him in death.
In 1947, at Sacred Heart Church in Palmerton, Pa., he married Ceclia Fortini,
who preceded him in death.
In 1985, he married Dina Schweir and they enjoyed 24 years together.
He is survived by his wife, Dina Brickler; two daughters, Jeannie Ross of
Charlotte, N.C., and Donna Thompson of Alexandria, Va.; brothers Lewis
Brickler of Tucson, Ariz., Edward Brickler of Cherryville, Pa., and Mathias
Brickler of Greenwood, Fla; sisters Stella Wagner of Melbourne, Fla., Rose
Pitts of Walnutport, Pa., Anna (Tony) Barazzuol of Pen Argyl, Pa., and Helen
(Francis) Marsh of San Marcos, Calif.; five grandchildren: Amy Ross, Angela
Gross, John Thompson, Matt Thompson, and John Michael Brickler;
step-children: Karin (Dan) Czerniak, Susan (Richard) Knoelke, and Gregg (Suzi)
Schweir; step-grandchildren Donald, Joseph, Mary Knoelke and Ethan, Johnny,
and Melanie Schweir; and many nieces, nephews and caring friends.
He was preceded in death by a son, John Brickler, in 1995; and also by an
infant son, John.
John served as a corporal in the U.S. Army and was an aerial engineer until
his honorable discharge in 1946. He retired from Bethlehem Steel and worked
at Porter Memorial Hospital until 1990. John was a member of St. Patrick’s
Catholic Church and the Knight’s of Columbus, was an avid Chicago Cubs and
Bears fan, and rarely missed a televised game. He enjoyed building and
flying large, complicated kites and radio controlled airplanes and was an
accomplished cook.
A Mass of Christian Burial, Father James Meade officiating, is scheduled for
11 a.m. Monday, April 19, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 638 N. Calumet
Road in Chesterton. Burial will be at Chesterton Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Monday from 10:00 a.m. Monday until the time
of mass. Please note, there will be no visitation at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to VNA Hospice Center, 501 Marquette Street,
Valparaiso, IN 46383-2508.
For more information, please call White-Love Funeral Home, 219-926-1309.
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