William “Bill” Dean Feikes, 88, of La Porte, Ind., passed away Saturday, May 2, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in La Porte on July 9, 1931, to Anton and Vera (Martin) Feikes.
Bill graduated from La Porte High School in 1949. He attended South Bend Business College before serving in the United States Army in the 1st graduating class in Honolulu, Hawaii, and completed tours in Korea and Japan.
After his service, Bill attended Ball State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies and math. Upon graduation, he began teaching in Monticello, Ind. After one year there, he took a position at La Porte High School in 1958. During this period, he received a master’s degree in math from Purdue University and attended Notre Dame on a National Science Foundation grant.
Bill taught math for 19 years at La Porte High School and started the honors math program before retiring in 1978. After his retirement from teaching he focused on his company, Feikes Construction.
Bill built homes and businesses across La Porte County, including Regency Place Condos, Sagamore Center and Condominiums, and Roselawn Apartments. He was a member of the Builders Association of La Porte County since 1970, serving as president in 1977 and 1987. He retired in 2004 and continued to build with his sons and grandsons in his free time. He was a dedicated member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, serving as an usher for over 50 years.
Bill was kind, generous and fair. He was known for his wit and innovative ideas. He enjoyed reading and watching the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and Notre Dame football. He and his wife liked going to the concerts in the park every summer. He enjoyed traveling, mostly west, and was especially in awe of the California Redwoods. Some of his favorite travels were on Big C trips, particularly Ireland. He never missed a game, concert, birthday, graduation or celebration for his grandchildren and loved having them around.
While attending Ball State, Bill met his wife, Jean (Lawson), and they married on Dec. 29, 1954, at St. Augustine Church in Rensselaer, Ind.
He is survived by his wife and their children, Dave (Julie) of La Porte, Ralph (Cindy) of Richardson, Tex.; Mike (Connie) of Seattle, Wash.; Mitch (Karyl) of La Porte; Anne (Chuck) Savino of Allen, Tex.; Amy Feikes of La Porte; Cyndi (John) White of La Porte; and Sue (Doug) Sander of Clover, S.C. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jamie McKeever, Mike Feikes, Katie (Bart) Connor, Andrew Feikes, Aaron Feikes, Betsy (Richard) Brooks, Emily Feikes, Kristin (Lorenzo) Quintanilla, Josh Feikes, Julie Feikes, Jared Feikes, William Feikes, Allison Feikes, Abby Feikes, Katie (Scott) Post, Ryan Savino, Angela Feikes-Mofield, Bill Feikes-Mofield, Charlie Feikes-Mofield, Ellen Feikes-Mofield, Cory (Lauren) Mofield, Tom Mofield, Brayden Anderson, Chloe Sander, and Anthony Sander; and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Mary Feikes of New Carlisle, Ind.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 11, 2021, at Fox Park in La Porte. A memorial service will begin at 3 p.m. during the Celebration of Life. Rev. Nate Edquist will officiate.
A private Mass of Christian Burial was held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in La Porte, Ind. and visitation was held for the family. He is buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery. Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, La Porte, handled arrangements.
In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of La Porte, 109 C St., La Porte, Ind. 46350; Saint Joseph Church, 109 C St., La Porte, Ind. 46350; or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.