Calvin B. Willis

CALVIN B. WILLIS VALPARAISO, IN Calvin B. Willis, 85 of Valparaiso, passed away Friday, October 14, 2011 at home. He was born January 7, 1926 in Mauckport, IN to William A. and Mildred R. (Richard) Willis. On September 14, 1947 in Central, IN he married Jeane Pitman, who passed away August 20, 1995. Calvin is survived by his son, Dr. Timothy O. (Deb) Willis of Westville; son-in-law, Jon Rees of Valparaiso; his grandchildren: David (Maggie) Willis of Columbus, OH, Stephen (Kelsey) Willis of Savannah, GA and Sarah Willis of Kokomo, IN; step-grandchildren: Scott (Jody) Rockwell, Stephen (Carmen) Rockwell, both of North Manchester and David Rockwell of Westville; and six step-great grandchildren also survive him. In addition to his wife, Calvin was preceded in death by his parents; and his daughter, Dr. Jan Rees. Calvin was an educator for 39 years, teacher and coach in Borden, IN, teacher and principal at Westville High School, and Superintendent of Porter County Schools for 19 years. He also administered the Porter County Special Education Co-Op for 18 years, the Porter County Vocational Cooperative for 17 years, and the occupational Development Center in six Northwest Indiana counties for seven years. During his tenure as Superintendent, he gained state approval and supervised the construction of 19 building projects. Calvin is a member of the United Methodist Church in Mauckport, IN and a member of the Lodge #192 Free and Accepted Masons, 32nd degree Mason in the Valley of South Bend, IN and a Shriner of the Michigan City Orak Temple. Other memberships include the Valparaiso Rotary Club, the Purdue and Indiana University Alumni and Phi Delta Kappa. Calvin was a U.S. WW II veteran serving in the South Pacific. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 20, at the Bartholomew Funeral Home, 102 Monroe St. in Valparaiso, Pastor Bill McClure will officiate. Entombment will be at Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to Timothy O. Willis, c/o The LaPorte Savings Bank, 1 Parkman Dr., Westville IN 46391 to be used for the Dr. Janice Willis Rees Memorial Scholarship Fund. www.bartholomewnewhard. com