Tommy Lee Schlegelmilch, 81, of LaPorte, died at 11:15 p.m. Friday, April 18, 2014, at IU Health LaPorte Hospital Hospice. He passed away from lymphoma (brain tumor) that was found just a month ago.
He was born Dec. 12, 1932, in Michigan City, IN, to John W. and Ida Mae (Dodt) Schlegelmilch.
Tommy was a 1951 graduate of Elston High School. After high school he worked for the Studebaker Corp. Tommy was a Korean War veteran, having proudly served in the Air Force from 1953-1957 assigned to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. After the war, he graduated from the Indiana State Police Academy at the IU Bloomington campus in 1958. He then proudly served the citizens of the State of Indiana as an Indiana state trooper until retiring in 1988. He was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Skwait American Legion and ACME Masonic Lodge in Michigan City.
Tommy was a good father and husband. He had great friendships with Gus Christ, John Fegaras and Luis Serrano, Chuck, Sue, and Lennie, along with the waitresses and staff at Lindos and Rodini restaurants. You could always find him every day at those restaurants, as well as at Steak-n-Shake, Lowes, Menards and Bobby Diana’s.
On June 18, 1966, in Michigan City, he married Esther (Katzmarek) Schlegelmilch, who survives.
Also surviving are his beloved children, Erik Schlegelmilch of South Bend, IN, and Kevin Schlegelmilch of Golden, CO; three grandchildren, Adam Lee and Kaitlyn Mae Schlegelmilch, both of South Bend, and Ryan Michael Schlegelmilch of Golden; four brothers, John J. (June) Schlegelmilch of Michigan City, Billy Schlegelmilch of Munster, IN, George (Trudy) Schlegelmilch of Albuquerque, NM, and Noel (Jan) Schlegelmilch of Michigan City; two sisters, Betty Noer of Alexandria, VA, and Shirley Meadows of Arizona; two sister-in-laws, Margaret (Richard) Wroblewski of LaPorte and Marilyn Katzmarek of Chesterton, IN; two daughters-in-law, Laura Schlegelmilch of LaPorte and Julie Schlegelmilch of Golden; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; three sisters, Carolyn Graybill and Joan and Patricia Schlegelmilch; and one brother, Donnell Schlegelmilch.
Cremation will take place. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, LaPorte, is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the donor’s choice; St. John’s United Church of Christ, 101 St. John Rd., Michigan City, IN 46360; or Service League, 301 E. Garfield St., Michigan City, IN 46360.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.LakeviewFHC.com.