William J. Bloom

William "Bill" James Bloom, age 70, of Merrillville passed away suddenly on Father's Day, June 16, 2024. He was a loving husband to Karen Bloom (nee: Bixenman) for 42 years; Father and best friend to his son, Edward Bloom; and grandfather to his beautiful granddaughters, Makayla and Kylee Bloom. He is also survived by his brother, Russell Bloom; Mother in law, Mary Bixenman (nee: Schreiber); Sister in laws Tina Bixenman, Connie Houx (nee: Bixenman), and Linda Bixenman (nee: DeBoer); Brother in laws, David Houx and Jeffrey Bixenman,; Nieces, Erica Pettersson (nee: Bloom), Shannon Houx and Abbey Bodine (nee: Houx), along with several cousins, family members, and friends across the country.
Bill was a graduate of George Washington High School in Chicago, IL in 1972. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, serving aboard the USS Trenton with honorable discharge. He had a passion and love to bowl, shoot pool, shoot hoops, play golf, play catch and play wiffle ball together as a young father to his son. He also loved watching the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs every game. He was lucky enough to see a Cubs game in person with his son and granddaughters 2 days before his sudden passing.
Bill was a loving and caring human being, but also dealt with severe mental illness most of his adult life. Regardless, he was a devoted husband and father until his untimely passing. Bill decided to be an organ and tissue donor after watching his favorite football player Walter Payton pass away at a young age while needing a liver transplant. It is the family's hope and prayers that he was able to help many other lives through his generous gift.
Friends may greet the family on Sunday, June 23, 2024 from 1 pm until 5 pm at BURDAN FUNERAL HOME, 12901 Wicker Ave. Cedar Lake, IN 46303. A funeral service will take place on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 10 am at BURDAN FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL. Interment will immediately follow at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville, IN.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of these 2 charities:
Disabled American Veterans - https://help.dav.org/page/66135/donate/
Wounded Warrior Project - https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/
We also hope you consider to be an organ and tissue donor. You can sign up here at the following link or when you renew your driver's license. https://registerme.org/