Walter E. Kolasa,
91, of Michigan City, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at
6:45 p.m. in Hospice Franciscan Communities, Michigan City, IN.
A Mass of Christian
Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 3, 2017, at St. Mary's
Catholic Church, Buffalo & 10th Streets, Michigan City, Indiana, with Rev.
Kevin Huber officiating. Entombment will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery.
Visitation will be
from 9:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m., Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church. The Ott/Haverstock
Funeral Chapel, Michigan City, IN is handling arrangements.
He was born June
27, 1925, in Michigan City, IN, to the late Andrew and Rose (Sarafin) Kolasa.
On November 6, 1948
in Michigan City, IN, he married Ruth Janowski who preceded him May 4, 2010.
They were married for 61 years.
Surviving are
daughter, Cindy (Matt) Block of Michigan City, IN; three sons, Terry (Nancy)
Kolasa of Chesterton, IN, Dennis (Christine) Kolasa of Westville, IN, and
Greg (Kathy) Kolasa of Onstead, MI; nine grandchildren, Beth (John) Walsh,
Eric (Melissa) Kolasa, Dennis (Kelly) Kolasa, II, Mark (Amanda) Kolasa,
Craig (Holly) Kolasa, Sara Kolasa, Michael Kolasa, Matthew (Nora) Block and
Emily Block; nine great-grandchildren, Norah Walsh, Molly Walsh, Clara
Kolasa, Carter Kolasa, Leah Kolasa, Mason Kolasa, Caleb Kolasa, Alexis
Kolasa and Reese Kolasa; and two sisters, Martha (Bob) Michael of Lansing,
IL, and Lorraine (Wally) Pritz of Michigan City, IN.
He was also
preceded in death by four sisters, Mary (Frank) Ciganek, Veronica (George)
Bolka, Josephine (Jerry) Janoski and Clara (Ted) Hycner; and three brothers,
Fred (Virginia) Kolasa, Henry (Dorothy) Kolasa and Andrew (Loretta) Kolasa.
He retired as a
electrician and was a proud World War II Veteran who served in the Pacific
Theater in Okinawa, Japan. In 2014 he traveled with other World War II
Veterans to Washington, D.C., with Honor Flight Chicago. Through Honor
Flight he made many friends and created lasting memories that he cherished.
He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, St. Joseph Young Men's
Society, Polish Business and Professional Club and the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 531.
Walter was a great
example of faith and perseverance to his family. He was an avid oil painter
and woodworker. He loved working with his hands and fixing things. He
enjoyed traveling, camping and visiting the casinos. The family extends
their gratitude to Dr. B. Agarwal, Franciscan ICU Staff, Hospice Franciscan
Communities, Sister Rita and Rev. William O'Toole for the care given to
Walter.
Contributions may
be made to Honor Flight Chicago, 938 W. Montana St., Chicago, IL, 60614,
honorflightchicago.org/mnu-donate.