Floyd M. Jessup

Nov. 11, 1921 - July 27, 2007
LAPORTE - Mr. Floyd M. Jessup, passed away at 6 p.m. Friday, July 27, in LaPorte Hospital. Floyd "Jess" Jessup, husband of Ellen for 64 years, father of Gregory and Wallace, grandfather of Katie and Harrison, Floyd was the great-great-grandson of Daniel Jessup, who bought land from the Native Americans in 1832 and first tilled the earth at what is now know as The Jessup Farm on State Road 2, LaPorte. Floyd was born to Earl and Sylvia Jessup in South Bend on November 11, 1921. He started his theater career in 1938 as an usher at The Palace Theater, which became the Morris Civic Auditorium, now known as the Morris Performing Arts Center. He was a young assistant manager at The State Theater when Pearl Harbor interrupted his career and called him to serve his country. He joined the Army air corps in 1942, saving hundreds of lives as a medic, serving in seven major battles of World War II, including The Battle of the Bulge and D-Day where he worked on a hospital ship non-stop for 36 hours treating the wounded. He was stationed in England with the 8th Air Force, 453 Bob Group, when he heroically cut an injured gunner from the burning wreckage of a crash landed RAF Bomber, using only his army issue survival knife. On a lighter note, he also met and became the driver of one of his theater heroes, Jimmy Stewart, while they were both stationed in England. After his honorable discharge in September 1945, Floyd resumed his career with the movie theaters in South Bend, becoming the manager of The State and Granada Theaters. He was promoted to District Manager of all The Balaban Katz Theaters in South Bend. He culminated his theater career by being selected as The Director of The (new) Morris Civic Auditorium in 1968. He was instrumental in bringing the Morris from an idea to the showplace it is today. He was past president of the South Bend Optimist club and a member of the International Association of Auditorium Managers (IAAM). Floyd retired to The Jessup Farm in LaPorte in 1982. He built the house and barn, and then managed the farm for 24 years before being stricken by cancer. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The LaPorte County Home, whose staff cared so compassionately for Floyd's brother Earl for many years. Their address is 2852 West State Road 2, LaPorte, IN 46350-8123. A memorial service will be held in Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte at 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 2. Friends may call from 1:30 p.m. until the time of services at 2 p.m.