Mary L. Zagrovich

Mary L. Zagrovich (nee Kopil) Gary Mary L. Zagrovich (nee Kopil), age 88, of Gary, passed away Friday, December 15, 2006. Born in Aliquippa, PA on February 26, 1918, Mary was the oldest child of John, Sr. and Veronica (Yanovich) Kopil. The family moved to Gary in 1926. Mary graduated from Holy Trinity Grade School and attended Froebel High School. She is survived by her loving daughter, Dolores (Chris) Nicoloff of Hammond, IN; brother, Andrew (late Sylvia) Kopil of Hobart, IN; sisters: Betty (Tom) Higgins of Merrillville, IN and Anne (Ralph) O'Connor of Chalmers, IN. Also survived by her grandchildren: Rich (Karen) Oljace, Susan (Bruce) Luft, Robert (Rose) Oljace, Sandra Saffa, MaryBeth (Randy) York, William (Chris) Oljace, Holly (Brian) Abrams and Diane (Kevin) Tamalunas; 14 great-grandchildren; and son-in-law, Richard Oljace of Merrillville, IN; step-children: Beverly (late Tony) Bonfiglio of Port Richey, FL, Willis (Charlotte) Zagrovich, Jr. of Anderson, IN and John (Bonnie) Zagrovich of Lowell, IN; eight step-grandchildren; nine step great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins; nine godchildren; special friends, Irene and George. During the war, Mary worked at the Kingsbury Ammunition Plant and later at the Billet Mill at U.S. Steel. Before retiring, she worked at the Lake County Complex in the voter registration office. Mary was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 57 years serving as First District President, member of Terre Des Dunes Salon 446 8/40 and for 30+ years, served as president of Slovak Post #367 in Gary. She was now associated with Unit #16 of Hammond. Mary loved to sing as her many friends and relatives know and when she was young, her mother entered her in many talent shows in the area. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Marilyn Oljace; her brother and sister-in-law: John and Teresa Kopil; sisters: Helen Gudinas and Dorothy Savitski; and granddaughter, Rosemary Nicoloff. Friends may call at the Solan-Pruzin Funeral Home (corner of Main and Kennedy), Schererville/Highland, on Monday from 2:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. with Msgr. John Siekierski officiating at the funeral home chapel. Burial Calumet Park Cemetery. Please omit flowers.