Thomas D. "Jocko" Pieters Sr.

THOMAS D. PIETERS, SR. "JOCKO" WHITING, IN Thomas D. "Jocko" Pieters, Sr., 75, of Whiting passed away Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at the St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Center, Hammond. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Dorothy (nee Mehmet); loving father of Kimberly (Michael) Jancosek of Munster, Karey (Michael) Pierzchalski of Sammamish, WA, Kristy (Jeffery) Larson of Valparaiso, Thomas (Kristen) Pieters, Jr. of Long Grove, IL and Erik (Kerry) Pieters of St. John; cherished grandpa of Jordan and Jessica Jancosek, Mason and Reid Pierzchalski, Brenden Larson, Kate and Thomas III Pieters and Victoria, Vincent, Rhett and Owen Pieters; dearest brother of Raymond (Carol) Pieters of Reno, NV and the late Joseph Pieters, Margaret Grubach and Phyllis McCampbell; dear brother-in- law of Joann Pieters of CA, Frank Grubach of Griffith, Ralph McCampbell and Jeanette (late Alex) Frankowiak both of Whiting; many aunts, uncles, cousins and devoted friends. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 25, 2010, 9:30 a.m. at the Baran Funeral Home, 1235-119th St., Whiting. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting with the Rev. Timothy McFarland, C.PP.S., officiating. Interment, St. John Cemetery, Hammond. Visitation at the funeral home on Friday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Members of the parish will offer prayers at the funeral home on Friday at 4:00 p.m. Jocko Pieters was born on March 22, 1935 to Joseph and Amelia (Machaj) Pieters. He was a lifelong resident of Whiting and a graduate of Whiting High School, Class of 1953. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting and the Knights of Columbus, Pope John XXIII Council 1696 (prayers Friday at 7:00 p.m). He was a retiree of the Lever Brothers Co., Hammond with 37 years of service. Jocko enjoyed sports. He had bowled with the K of C League for many years and was an avid Indianapolis Colts fan. A loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many, Jocko will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, memorials to either the American Cancer Society or the St. Jude Children's Hospital would be appreciated. (219) 659-4400.