Jerome Gregory "Jerry" Kralis

JEROME GREGORY "JERRY" KRALIS, 76, passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2004, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Kralis was born Dec. 6, 1927, in Gary, the son of Joseph and Irene (Mauoski) Kralis. In 1946, he graduated from St. Edward's Military Academy in Austin, Texas. He graduated from Purdue University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics, where he was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He married Savina Iussig, the love of his life for 53 years, June 16, 1951; she survives. In 1951, Mr. Kralis and his wife moved to Kosciusko County where he owned and operated Kralis Brothers Poultry Co. in Mentone. He was hardworking and dedicated to his family business before retiring in 1983. In 1997, he began Kralis Enterprises Inc., which will continue under the direction of his wife and children. Mr. Kralis was an active member and leader in the Warsaw community. He served on the Boards of Directors of United Way, Combined Community Services, Riverwood Ranch for Boys, Heartline, Kosciusko Literacy Services and Catholic Charities. He also served on the Advisory Council of Our Father's House and the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission. He had 18 years of perfect attendance in the service organization, Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club. He was a proud supporter of Purdue University, where he was a member of The President's Council and the John Purdue Club. Mr. Kralis especially enjoyed being a Purdue parent for over 25 years. Mr. Kralis was a long-time faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where he actively served as a member of the Finance Committee and the Knights of Columbus. He was named Man of the Year in 1990 for his devoted service to his church. He loved his faith and his family unconditionally. He is survived by his 12 children, Suzanne Light and husband, Steven, of Warsaw, Cynthia Kralis Georgas and husband, Nick, of Dallas, Texas, Mark J. Kralis and wife, Anna, of Warsaw, Gregory J. Kralis of Warsaw, Therese Kralis-Koch and husband, W. Allen, of South Bend, Hilary Kralis Bradford and husband, Stephen, of Dove Canyon, Calif., Christopher J. Kralis of Tampa, Fla., Diane Kralis Perr and husband, J. Victor, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Mary Kralis Hoppe and husband, Ted, of Boston, Mass., Joseph Kralis and wife, Kelly, of Jacksonville, Fla., Leslie Kralis LaBarge and husband, Stephen, of Indianapolis, Andrea Kralis Toscano and husband, Fabrice, of Columbus, Ohio. Also surviving are 26 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, M. Mitchell Kralis; sister, Christine Kralis Dziubla; brother-in-law, Ricardo Iussig; and numerous nieces and nephews. To celebrate his life a Funeral Mass is 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Church, 135 N. Harrison St., Warsaw. Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Home, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw, with a Rosary at 8 p.m. Interment in the Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville. Memorials may be made to Our Father's House, 401 Argonne Road, Warsaw, IN 46580; Kosciusko County Community Foundation's Sacred Heart Elementary School Tuition Endowment, 102 E. Market St., Warsaw, IN 46580; and Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, 902 Provident Drive, Warsaw, IN 46580.