Walter A. Skibinski

WALTER A. SKIBINSKI HAMMOND, IN

Walter A. Skibinski, age 83, of Hammond, passed away Monday, November 24, 2008 at home. He was the beloved father of Darlene (Bob) Marchina, Bobbi (Len) Homola and Robert (Diana) Skibinski all of Crown Point, David Skibinski of Altadena, CA, Gerard (Julie) Skibinski of Indianapolis and Jeffrey (Jayne) Skibinski of Naperville, IL; proud Dziadz of Patrick, Ryan, Kevin and Kyle Marchina; Lauren and Mallory Homola; and Joseph and John Skibinski; loving brother of Henry Skibinski, Betty Pasiut, Chester (Dolores) Skibinski, and Michaeline Skibinski; dear brother-in-law of Charles Jakubowski, Mary Ponicki, Mary Jacewicz, Leonard (Edna) Panfil and Edward Jacewicz; and fond uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Michael and Catherine; wife, Paula; infant daughter, Dawn Marie; brother, Michael; sister, Joan Jakubowski; sisters-in-law: Marian Skibinski and Irene Panfil; brothers-in-law: John Jacewicz and Walter Ponicki; and daughter-in-law, Annie Johnston Skibinski. Friends may call at Anthony & Dziadowicz Funeral Home, 9445 Calumet Ave. (at 45th Street), Munster, IN on Friday, November 28, 2008 from 2:00-8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. DIRECTLY at St. Casimir Church (corner of Cameron Ave. and Huehn Street), Hammond, IN. Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Calumet City, IL. Parish Wake Service Friday at 4:00 p.m. Walter (Wally) was born on January 21, 1925 in Chicago, IL. He attended St. Michael School and Bowen High School. Walter married Paula Jacewicz on June 29, 1946 at St. Casimir Church in Hammond where he was a member of the Holy Name Society, The Usher's Club, Polish language lector and Eucharistic Minister. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus Coronata Council #3806, a member of the Pulaski Citizen's Club of Hammond, American Legion Post 428, the Millennium Chorus, the Hermits Athletic Club, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Club, Notre Dame 100 Club, the Polish American Federation of Lake County, and past president of the International Polka Association. He also served on the Contractor's Board for the City of Hammond and volunteered in Pastoral Care at St. Margaret Hospital in Hammond. During World War II, Wally served in the U.S. Army and was a prisoner of war for seven months during the Battle of the Bulge. He was later called back to active duty during the Korean War. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement on February 4, 1944. Named an Honorary Alumnus of the Orchard Lake Schools, Orchard Lake, MI in 1970, Wally was awarded "Man of the Year" in 1979 by the Orchard Lake Alumni Association. He served as a member of the school's Board of Regents and Board of Directors of St. Mary's Preparatory School. Wally was the host of the Polish Cavalcade of Music broadcast on radio station WJOB for nearly 50 years and the weekly remote and live polka show from Club 505 in Hegewisch. For this contribution of promoting the Polish language and culture to the people of Northwest Indiana, he was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash on July 7, 2001. This award is the highest honor the Governor of Indiana bestows on those who have contributed greatly to their Hoosier Heritage. The United Polka Association awarded Wally the International Disc Jockey of the Year Award, and in 1989, he was named Chicagoland's Polka Disc Jockey of the Year. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the United Polka Association in 1985, the Chet Gulinski Media Award in 1986 and the PNA Silver Bell Club's Polish American Heritage Award in 1990. He was awarded the Heritage Award in 1999 by the Polish American Congress because of the dedication of his life to his God and church, his country and family, and furthering the enjoyment of his polish heritage. Please omit flowers. Contributions may be made to St. Casimir Church and School or the Orchard Lake Schools.