Mr. Donald W. Kalsow, 84, died Tuesday, July 16, 2013, at Hamilton Grove Communities, New Carlisle, IN.
He was born Feb. 13, 1929, in LaPorte to Lester and Charlotte (Fenker) Kalsow and lived his entire life in the LaPorte area.
Mr. Kalsow retired from Voegler Distributing Company as a mechanic and was a former employee of Wozniak Tool and Die and Reggie Pendleton Olds/Cadillac, and also worked six years with the LaPorte City Street Department. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Hubner-Swanson VFW Post 1130 of LaPorte, Fraternal Order of Police, and Teamsters Union Local 135, Michigan City. Mr. Kalsow was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War. He enjoyed collecting diecast cars. He was hardworking and industrious and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
On Oct. 22, 1949, in LaPorte, he married Dorothy T. Ardeel, who currently resides at Hamilton Communities, New Carlisle.
He is also survived by three daughters, Janis (John) Sauter of South Bend, IN, Judy (Keith) Johnson of LaPorte and Jennifer (Ross) Olling of LaPorte; three sons, Larry (Diane) Kalsow of Jacksonville, NC, Dennis (Ella) Kalsow of LaPorte and Steve (Becky) Kalsow of LaPorte; 14 grandchildren, Rachel Enright, Natalie Kiff, Lindsay Wathen, Shanon, Jason, and Tony Barnhart, Ryan, Stephanie, Sean, Joshua, Lucas, and Karli Kalsow, Ashley and Austin Olling; 17 great-grandchildren, Dakin, Julia, Emma, Colin, Kenna, Gavin, Landon, Wesly, Cora, Lyla, Vivian, Jayden, Gabby, Dylan, Cohen, Alaina, and Brenden; one sister, Eileen (Chuck) Schoenborn of Michigan City; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Kali Kalsow, sister Nancy Mocryki and brothers Marvin and Rodney Kalsow.
A funeral service will be held Friday, July 19, at 11 a.m. at Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte, with Pastor Ronald Brauer officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, July 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial with military graveside honors will follow the service in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, LaPorte.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church General Fund, 111 Kingsbury Ave., LaPorte, IN 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.