Marcelino Gonzalez Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information

LOCATION

Merrillville, Indiana

MARCELINO GONZALEZ
"Marce"
"Coach"

Merrillville, Indiana

Marcelino "Marce" Gonzalez, age 86, of Merrillville, IN passed away peacefully Thursday, November 5, 2009. He is survived by children: Marce (Beth) Gonzalez of Highland, Sandy (Walter) Frank of Pawley's Island, SC, and Linda (Trent) Reid of Miller Beach; grandchildren: Jonathon and Gabrielle Gonzalez, Maddie and Boomer Frank, and Taylor Reid; brother, Jose "Pep" (Elaine) Gonzalez of Northbrook, IL; special friends: Jerry Ashmore, Al Armenta and Armand Lopez. Marce was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne Gonzalez and parents, Jose and Rosario Gonzalez. Marce retired from the Gary School Corporation after 48 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator. His career with Gary schools included positions at West Side High School and Tolleston High School where he coached the State Championship Track Team in 1969. Marce held many distinguished sports records: Indiana High School 100 and 200 yard dash champion, Big Ten Champion in 220 yard dash in 1945, member of the world record mile relay team, and member of the Hall of Fame in Track and Field. He was an alumnus of University of Illinois, a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, and the Imen's Letterman Club. Marce became an avid long distance runner and especially enjoyed daily runs on the beaches of Miller and Ogden Dunes. He was a dedicated fan of the Illini and the NY Yankees. Coach taught us that the size of a person is measured by the heart. Dad, you were a giant. A visitation will be held on Monday, November 9, 2009 at Geisen Funeral Home, 7905 Broadway, Merrillville, IN from 3:00 to 8:00 PM. The family wishes to thank Harbor Light Hospice and the staff at Towne Centre and suggests memorial contributions be made in Marce's name to: Harbor Light Hospice. To share a memory or send a condolence to the family, please visit the guestbook section at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com. For more information call 219-769-3322.

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I was researching some Indiana High School track records and found out about the death of Coach Gonzalez. I ran track at Portage High School and ran against his great teams at Tolleston and West Side. I lived in Ogden Dunes and often trained on the beach, so I naturally got to know him better than most competitors from other schools. He always encouraged me and congratulated me on my performances and remained interested in my track career after I left high school and continued it at Notre...

Vic Pantea

March 04, 2010 | South Bend, IN

I'm a member of the class of 65, and thankful for COACH. He was a teacher, coach, mentor and most of all a friend. From 7th grade through 12th grade he was someone worth knowing. I
have a resume that includes coaching, a cith championship team based on his teachings, I have a son who I coached with his methods and who continues using his principles as a coach and personal trainer. COACH LIVES ON THROUGH HIS image as a true role model,TEACHINGS and FRIENDSHIP, as well as in OUR HEARTS.

Edward Henderson

February 17, 2010 | CHICAGO, FL

DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE GONZALEZ FAMILY
WE HAVE VERY FOND MEMORIES OF mARCE.
oUR SONS PETER GONZALEZ, AND DAVID GONZALEZ WERE STUDENTS AT KENEY KING AND REMEMBER HIM FONDLY. THEY TOO EXPRESS THEIR CONDOLENCES.

MARCELINO GONZALEZ

February 07, 2010 | SPRING, TX

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

George & Laura Shropshire

December 02, 2009 | Hammond, IN

To the Gonzalez Family,
I was very sorry to hear about the passing of Marce Gonzalez. He was my track coach at Tolleston High School from 1960-1964. He was a dedicated coach. He encouraged me to be the best that I could be, and he planted the seeds of success that carried me through my life. He will be truly missed.

Ronald Golston

December 01, 2009 | Gary, IN

To the Family of Coach Gonzalez:

You are in my prayers and you have my deepest sympathy. It is rare that one man touched so many lives in such a positive way. I am an alumna of Tolleston High School and was in the last graduating class of 1969. I was one of the few who got away with calling Coach "Marce." He would give me that stern look and break out with that beautiful smile. He taught me to drive and I have never had an accident. He also taught me how to write in Spanish...

Delores Shepherd

November 17, 2009 | Detroit, MI

To the family of beloved Coach Gonzalez

I extend the prayers of my family. Coach had both my brothers on his track teams at Tolleston. As a youngster I would sit by the track as the cross country team practiced. He had a stop watch and a whistle. and used both freely!! God Bless you and if GOD has brought you here he will be with you through these sad times.
The Wiley Family
Leonard,William and Bertha

Bertha Wiley Cherry

November 12, 2009 | Las Vegas, NV

To the family of Coach Gonzalez:
Please accept my heartfelt sympathies. Mr. Gonzalez was my Spanish teacher in my sophomore year at Tolleston and a good friend of my dad's, who also ran track. May God bless you and give you peace. ...Carol Cannon Redwine, Caledonia, MI

November 12, 2009

To the Gonzalez Family:

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Gonzalez was my Spanish teacher at Tolleston High School. I remember him as a teacher who cared about students, set high standards for performance, and led by example. He also made class fun. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May you find comfort in fond memories of
Mr. Gonzalez.

Sincerely,

Sandra Hawkins Bruce (Class of 1969)

November 12, 2009 | Chesterfield, MO

Marcelino "Marce" Gonzalez

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