Mr. Walter J. Malec, 88, of LaPorte, died Nov. 28, 2014, at Hospice Franciscan Communities, Michigan City, IN.
He was born Sept. 5, 1926, in South Bend, IN, to Joseph and Bernice (Kuczmaszewska) Malec. Along with his family, he moved to LaPorte on Dec. 20, 1966.
Mr. Malec attended St. Adalbert and Washington high schools in South Bend. He worked at Studebaker Corporation until it ceased operations in 1963. He then worked at Tucker Freight Lines, Michigan City, until his retirement. A World War II veteran, he proudly served as a U.S. Army sergeant in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1130 and a member of UAW No. 5 and Teamsters Local No. 298. In his younger years he enjoyed bowling, gardening and playing euchre with his family and friends. He was a diehard Cubs fan and an avid Notre Dame football fan since his early boyhood days. He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Fish Lake, IN.
On Jan. 22, 1949, in LaPorte, he married Emily A. Schroff, who preceded him in death Nov. 8, 2005.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; son, Daniel J.; two brothers, John and William (Ann); and one sister, Mary Ann (Richard) Marciniak.
He is survived by his son, Stephen (Pamela) Malec of South Bend; his daughter, Annette Gilbert of Aurora, CO; daughter-in-law, Catherine Malec of LaPorte; four grandchildren, Andrew (Emily) of Irvine, CA, Anthony of Denver, CO, Natalie of LaPorte and Kelley of Mishawaka, IN; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte, on Monday, Dec. 1, from 3 to 7 p.m. with a Rosary service at 5 p.m. with Rev Michael Heimer officiating. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Walkerton, IN, with the service commencing at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow the Mass in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, LaPorte, with military honors. (All times are LaPorte times.)
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony of Padua Church, 7732 E. Ind. 4, Walkerton, IN 46574. Messages of condolence may be posted on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.