Louis J. Mender, 87 of LaPorte, died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014.
He was born Oct. 22, 1927, in East Chicago, IN, to John and Ella (Gorance) Mender.
Louis had retired after 42 years with LTV Steel as a crane operator. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He loved nature and planting trees, but mostly loved his family.
On Aug. 28, 1958, Louis married Arlene Oberg, who survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Cheryll (Andy) VanWaardenburg and Laurie (Jim) Day, both of LaPorte; a son, Thomas (Kari) Mender of LaPorte; nine grandchildren, Ryan, Kristina, Cody, Heidi, Sarah, Victoria, Matthew, Erin, and Max; great-grandchildren, Ele, Brier and Hudson; sisters, Dorothy Hickey of California and Lois (Peter) Dosen of Merrillville, IN; and a brother, Richard Mender of Chicago Heights, IL.
There will be no services. Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte, is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the LaPorte County Small Animal Shelter, 2855 W. Ind. 2, LaPorte, IN 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.