Reverend Francis M. Lazar

REVEREND FRANCIS M. LAZAR HIGHLAND, IN Reverend Francis M. Lazar, age 73, of Highland, IN, passed away Saturday, December 1, 2007, succumbing to pancreatic cancer. Father Lazar was born in 1934 in Gary, IN, and was the fifth of six sons born to Anthony and Mary Lazar. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, and brothers: Anthony Lazar, Andrew Lazar, John Lazar, Alfred Lazar and Paul Lazar. He is survived by his sister-in-law Mary E. (Anthony) Lazar of Crown Point, IN and Patricia (Alfred) Lazar of Palos Verde Estates, CA and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was lovingly referred to by family as Uncle Frank. Growing up in Gary, Father Lazar attended St. Casimir and Holy Angels Catholic Churches. As a youth, he attended Horace Mann and Bishop Noll High Schools, and graduated from Wawasee Preparatory School in Syracuse, IN. He attended the Atheneaum of Ohio, The Catholic University of America and the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul Minnesota, studying Catholic Social Action, Counseling and Communication. He was ordained into the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Gary by Bishop Andrew T. Grutka in 1960, at Holy Angels Cathedral. He served as an Associate Pastor at Holy Name Catholic Church in Cedar Lake, IN from 1960-1962, and at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Highland, IN from 1962-1967. He served as Director of the Diocesan Migrant Workers Ministry from 1962-1975, the Alerding Settlement House of Gary from 1967-1970, and the Lake County Migrant Council from 1968-1973. In 1968, he became the Pastor of St. Anthony/St. Emerick Catholic Church in Gary, where he served until 1970. In 1970, he became the Pastor of St. James the Less Catholic Church in Highland, IN, and served in the parish until 2005. He retired from full-time ministry upon his 45th anniversary as a priest in 2005, but remained an active Senior Priest in the Diocese. Father Lazar was the Chaplain for the Town of Highland Police and Fire Departments. He was the Police Chaplain for the Town of Griffith Police Department and the City of Gary Police Department from 1967-1970. He was also the Departmental Chaplain head for the Lake County Sheriff's Department. Father Lazar was an active member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains, the Indiana State Police Chaplains Association, and the State of Indiana Fraternal Order of Police. He was the Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus Marquette Council of Griffith. He served as a Board Member of the St. Jude House and the St. James Family Help Services. He was also a member of the Highland Rotary Club. Father Lazar lived his life in Christian service to others. He was well loved by his family, his brother priests and his community. His ecumenical spirit will be greatly missed. Funeral arrangements for Father Lazar are as follows: Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at St. James the Less Catholic Church, 9640 Kennedy Ave., Highland, IN. Reception of the Body at the church, 1:00 p.m.. Evening Prayer at the church 7:00 p.m. Viewing and visitation at the church from 1-9 p.m. Thursday, December 6, 2007 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 3025 Highway Ave., Highland, IN. Morning Prayer at the church 9:30 a.m. Funeral Liturgy at the church at approximately 10:00 a.m. with Bishop Dale J. Melczek as celebrant. Interment at the Priests' Circle, Calumet Park Cemetery, 2305 W. 73rd St. Merrillville, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. James Family Help Services (c/o St. James the Less Catholic Church), the Father Lazar Scholarship Fund of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Society (c/o St. James the Less Catholic Church), or Another Christ Burse for the support of seminarians, (c/o the Diocese of Gary, 9292 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410-7088). Arrangements entrusted to Kuiper Funeral Home, 9039 Kleinman Rd., Highland, IN 46322. For more information please call 219-923-7800.