John A. Simatovich Jr.

JOHN A. SIMATOVICH, JR. VALPARAISO, IN John A. Simatovich, age 82, passed away on Monday, April 6, 2009 at Porter Hospital in Valparaiso. He was born in East Chicago on July 15, 1926 to the late John and Mary (nee Tonkovich) Simatovich. John was a resident of Valparaiso since 1944, formerly of East Chicago. He was a farmer, a machinist at Blaw-Knox in East Chicago, retiring in 1977, and worked at Westinghouse for 15 years in Hobart, IN. He was a 1944 graduate of Washington High School, East Chicago, a WW II Army Veteran of the Korean War, a member of St. Paul Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus #732 in Valparaiso, the Croatian Fraternal Union and Lodge #170 in Merrillville, IN, and Blaw-Knox Retirees Club. John had a love of his Croatian heritage and tamburitza music. He and his brother, Stephen, were the original land donors for the site of the John Simatovich Elementary School, which was named in honor of their father. John is survived by daughters: Mary Lou (Charles) Hardesty of Valparaiso, Therese (Mark) Bruszewski of Valparaiso and Anne (Patrick) O'Malley of Chicago, IL; sons: John J. (Joan) Simatovich of Valparaiso and Michael (Melissa) Simatovich of Hobart, IN; 14 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; brother, Stephen Simatovich of Valparaiso; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by wife, Mary M. Simatovich; and brother, Joseph Simatovich. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. from the Dykes Funeral Home, 2305 N. Campbell Street, Valparaiso, to St. Paul Catholic Church, 1855 W. Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso, for a 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass with Rev. Joseph Pawlowski officiating. Interment at St. Paul Cemetery, Valparaiso. Friends may call at the Dykes Funeral Home on Monday, April 13, 2009 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a 4:30 p.m. wake service. Arrangements by Dykes Funeral Home, Inc. (219) 462-3125.