John Plesha

JOHN PLESHA VALPARAISO, IN John Plesha, age 82 of Valparaiso, formerly of Schererville, passed away Sunday, November 13, 2011 at home. John was the second oldest of the seven boys and three girls born to Joseph and Mary Plesha from the "Harbor". He leaves behind cherished memories to his beloved wife, De De; sons: Gary (Donna) of Federal, WA and Patrick of Walkerton, IN; grandchildren: Nicholas Plesha and Brittany (Dennis) Jolley; great granddaughter, Alysa Jolley all of Washington; step-daughters: Kelly Cooper of St. Louis, MO and Kim Ballow of Colorado; two brothers: Rich (Carol) of Munster, IN and Jerry (Toni) of Spokane, WA; sisters: Joann (late Steve) Brzezinski of Highland, IN, Jeanette of Orlando, FL, and Rose; sisters- in-law: Mary (late Rudy) of Highland, IN and Carol (late Bob) of Munster, IN; Aunt Ann Lacko and Uncle Jack (Sharon) Yelinich both of Highland, IN; special nephews: Brian (Lisa), Kevin (Penny) and Jason; great nieces and nephews: Karissa, Vanissa, Nicole, Cameryn and Natalyn, Jerami and Nathan; great-great nephews: Gage and Keagan; Dear friend, Cal (Kristy) Murphy; numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Preceded in death by parents; brothers: Joe (Ruth), Rudy, Bob, and the youngest of his family Ron; brother in-law, Steve Brzezinski; and mother and father in-law: Mr. and Mrs. Graves. John was a purchasing agent for Blaw Knox before becoming a Substance Abuse Therapist for Southlake Methodist Hospital. After retirement, he was a consultant for the Moraine House, Care Counseling and Addiction and Behavioral Counseling. He became a certified International Addiction Therapist. Throughout his career he helped so many with the conflicts and challenges in their lives. "God grant us the serenity, courage, and wisdom to accept ours." A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 10:00AM at St. Maria Goretti Church, 500 Northgate Dr., Dyer, IN. Inurnment will follow at St. John Cemetery, Hammond, IN. Friends may meet with the family from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital would be appreciated. For further information, contact FIFE FUNERAL HOME, East Chicago, IN (219) 398-3210.